Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing to present “alternative facts” in support of efforts to reduce or eliminate public lands. The hearing follows President Trump’s executive order calling on Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to conduct a review of national monument designations made under the Antiquities Act made since January 1, 1996. The review, which marks the first steps towards repealing these designations, covers areas over 100,000 acres, including Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears.

Today’s hearing was dominated by “alternative facts” from anti-public lands crusaders with a clear agenda. Their lack of credible arguments makes it apparent that proponents of reducing or eliminating public lands don’t have a leg to stand on. Unfortunately, Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-R) and Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock (CA-R) are ignoring the overwhelming support for public lands and putting special interests ahead of those of us who live and work in these communities.

National Monument Facts:

• A poll conducted by Colorado College found 80% of Western voters’ support maintaining current designations of public lands as national monuments.
• “Business is booming” around the new national monument in Maine.
• House Natural Resources Committee majority members have received over $6.4 million from the oil and gas industry over the last 19 years, and continue to ignore the positive economic benefits federal lands and national monuments have on local communities.
• Despite claims to the contrary, the House Oversight Committee found the Obama administration engaged in a lengthy consultation process with the local stakeholders, tribes, and the Utah Congressional delegation.
• Per capita income in Western counties with 100,000 acres of protected lands was $4,360 higher than similar counties.
• Counties with more than 30% of land in federal protection increased jobs at four times the rate of similar counties.
• The outdoor industry in Utah generates $12 billion in consumer spending and $887 billion nationally.
• The Public Lands Initiative, an alleged alternative to the use of the Antiquities Act, was not introduced in time for the bill to pass and ultimately failed.

Here is a clip of Maine Governor LePage forgetting the 5.65 billion tourism economy in his home state.

LePage Tourism

Want to learn more? Check out #MonumentsForAll on Twitter for more of the truth behind the alternative facts.