Biden administration commended on National Monuments stance

The Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) has commended a decision by the Biden administration to reinstate protections to three National Monuments whose boundaries were reduced during the Donald Trump presidency.

The organisation, together with a broad coalition of fishing and hunting groups and businesses, has supported America’s national monuments system and a judicious use of the Antiquities Act as a means of permanently conserving important landscapes.

The Presidential Proclamation re-establishes the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments and restores management conditions to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine.

“The Antiquities Act is one of our nation’s most powerful tools to conserve large landscapes, secure important fish and wildlife habitat and safeguard traditional hunting and angling opportunities on our public lands,” said BHA’s President and CEO, Land Tawney. “Signed into law by Theodore Roosevelt, it has been used by 16 presidents – eight Republicans and eight Democrats – to permanently sustain great places to hunt and fish.

“We are glad to see the Biden administration restoring integrity to this bedrock conservation law. Millions of Americans, including hunters and anglers, have raised our voices in support of our National Monuments, sending a clear and uncompromising message about the role they play in our outdoor opportunities, local communities and economic health,” Tawney continued.

“Now that this necessary action has been completed, we look forward to continuing to work with the administration to invest in future conservation efforts like the America the Beautiful initiative, assuring its implementation is executed through collaboration with hunters, anglers, private landowners, tribes and other diverse stakeholders.

“Much remains to be done in the name of our public lands, waters and wildlife,” concluded Tawney. “Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.”