Breaking News: Trump Orders Review of National Monuments - What does this mean???
- CLICK HERE to read a New York Times article about the Antiquities Act of 1906 that gives the President of the US the ability to set aside land as national parks or monuments, what the Executive Order does and who may be impacted.
- CLICK HERE to read an LA Times article that describes Trump's Executive Order and the monuments under review.
- CLICK HERE to read about the controversial Bears Ears National Monument. This article was published before it was designated as a national monument.
- CLICK HERE to read about two Southern California monuments under review.
ACTIVITY
Now that you have read about the Executive Order issued by President Trump, have identified the monuments to be reviewed, have read about Bears Ears Monuments and two local monuments, it is time to give your opinion. Answer the following questions in a Google Doc or on a piece of paper.
- Do you agree or disagree with the President's Executive Order to review monuments designated by prior presidents? Why?
- Whose interests (tribes, businesses, locals, politicians, animals, plants, etc) should be considered in taking action to either create a new monument, or in this case, reduce the size of or eliminate a monument previously designated?
- Do you think national monument or park designation is a federal or state right? What are the pros and cons of the federal government having the power to designate and oversee national monuments/parks? What are the pros and cons of the states having these powers instead of the federal government?
- In your opinion, should Bears Ears have been designated a national monument? (You may need to read additional websites - stick to mainstream media).
- In your opinion, what should happen to the Sand to Snow and Mojave Trails Monuments? (Should they be left as monuments, reduced in size or no longer designated as national monuments?)