Abuse of Antiquities

The Antiquities Act originated in 1906 in order to protect and preserve Indian artifacts and natural objects that held scientific or historical interest. It has since morphed into a presidential political instrument which is generally wielded with scalpel like precision. Used three decades ago by then President Jimmy Carter the Antiquities Act helped him save face with the environmentalists of the day and left Alaska severely constrained with millions of acreage designated as national monuments. It has been used in such a way numerous times by Republican and Democrat alike, and once again we have a president in office who is more than ready to use the Antiquities Act as a political tool. With the Obama administration looking at expanding or adding new national monuments in the West thousands of acres of ranch and grazing land will be put at risk, not to mention numerous other industries that will be seriously affected by such a land grab. The Antiquities Act needs to be returned to its original intent or abolished all together. Sadly, neither will happen in time to prevent political land seizure from happening yet again.