Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has initiated a review of national monuments as part of a broader effort to increase energy production in the United States. This move comes amid significant layoffs of employees at national parks and forests, raising concerns about the future of public lands.
Conservationists worry that valuable landscapes, including two recently established national monuments in California, could lose their protections. They fear that these areas, rich in cultural and ecological resources, might be opened up for oil drilling, coal mining, and other forms of resource extraction. On the other hand, some conservative groups argue that public lands should be accessible for energy development.
In a directive issued on February 3, Burgum instructed his team to assess all withdrawn public lands. This follows a federal statute from the 1906 Antiquities Act, which allows presidents to create national monuments. The directive is part of a larger initiative called “Unleashing American Energy,” aimed at boosting resource extraction on federal lands and waters. Burgum has given his agency officials a 15-day window to submit compliance plans, which are currently under review.
J. Elizabeth Peace, a senior public affairs specialist at the Interior Department, stated that the agency is evaluating these reports to determine if further action is necessary. However, she did not specify when the review would conclude or what changes might occur.
Critics of this review fear it could lead to the alteration or elimination of existing monuments. During his presidency, Donald Trump significantly reduced the size of two national monuments in Utah and removed protections from a marine monument to allow commercial fishing. President Biden later reversed these changes, but the legality of altering national monuments remains a contentious issue.
The recent layoffs of thousands of employees at the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service have sparked protests and backlash. Many believe these cuts, part of a broader initiative by Trump and his advisor Elon Musk to reduce federal bureaucracy, threaten the management and protection of national parks.
California, home to 21 national monuments, faces particular risks under the current review. These monuments include diverse landscapes such as rugged coastlines and ancient sequoia groves. Experts suggest that the newly designated Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands national monuments may be particularly vulnerable due to their recent establishment and the political climate.
Sáttítla, which spans over 224,000 acres, has been explored for geothermal energy development. Meanwhile, Chuckwalla could attract interest for its groundwater resources. Conservationists warn that extracting these resources could have devastating effects on the surrounding environment.
The potential changes to these monuments have divided opinions among recreationists. Some outdoor enthusiasts, such as hunters and anglers, fear that increased resource extraction will limit their access to nature. Conversely, groups that support off-road vehicle use argue that mining and drilling can coexist with their recreational activities.
As this review unfolds, many are concerned about the future of these cherished landscapes and the impact on local economies. Outdoor recreation contributed $81.5 billion to California’s economy in 2023, highlighting the importance of preserving these areas for both environmental and economic reasons.
Burgum’s directive has raised alarms among monument advocates, who suspect it may align with “Project 2025,” a conservative policy framework that calls for downsizing monuments and repealing the Antiquities Act. The road ahead remains uncertain, and any attempts to alter monuments will likely face legal challenges from environmental groups.
While Burgum has ties to the oil and gas industry, some experts believe he may not push too hard against the interests of Native American tribes, who largely support the protections offered by national monuments. The balance between energy production and environmental conservation is a delicate one, and how this review will play out remains to be seen.