Rehberg-Sponsored Resolution Will Force Department Of Interior To Release Secret Antiquities Act Information

Press Release

Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has cosponsored a resolution that would compel the Department of Interior to release information related to a planned misuse of the Antiquities Act to designate 13 million acres of land in 11 different Western states, including Montana, as National Monuments. The original plans were uncovered when an internal memo was leaked. Rehberg joined fellow members of the House Western Caucus in sending a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar demanding the full memo and related documents.

"While Montanans would love to take Secretary Salazar's word that his agency isn't considering using the Antiquities Act to circumvent public opposition, I would feel more comfortable if the Interior Department didn't actively hide the facts," said Rehberg, a member of the House Western Caucus. "It's time we let the sunlight in and see what's been going on behind closed doors."

The Antiquities Act authorized the President to designate objects or areas of historic or scientific interest as National Monuments on lands owned or controlled by the United States. An internal Department of Interior document recently revealed the Administration is considering using this law to create as many as 14 new National Monument designations in the West.

Specifically, the leaked portion of the memo identified 2.5 million acres of land in Montana -- some presumably owned by private citizens -- to be set aside as a National Monument. The memo also calls for the buy-out of 80,000 acres of private in-holdings within the Missouri Breaks National Monument and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, in addition to the acquisition of 39,000 acres of state-administered in-holdings in the same area.

Despite a letter requesting the missing parts of the original memo, the Interior Department has decided to keep them secret. H. Res. 1254 would require the Department to remit all relating documents to the House of Representatives within two weeks. House rules provide that the Democrat Majority on the Committee has 14 legislative days to report the Resolution of Inquiry or it can be brought to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote as a Privileged Resolution.

"This Administration claims to be the most open and transparent in history," said Rehberg. "It's really a shame that we're forced to use legislation to get answers to simple questions regarding public documents."

Rehberg has also introduced legislation that would require congressional approval of new National Monument designations in Montana. This requirement isn't unprecedented; the current law prohibits the extension or establishment of any National Monument in Wyoming without the express authorization of Congress.

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