Wallace Stegner Center professor John Ruple published an op-ed in the March 26, 2016 edition of The Salt Lake Tribune. The opinion, titled “Recent national monuments have protected local interests,” addresses public lands and the designation of the Bears Ears National Monument proposal.
For 110 years, the Antiquities Act has empowered presidents to protect lands having historic or scientific interest. Indeed, 15 of the last 19 presidents, Republicans and Democrats alike, have designated national monuments. Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef and Arches national parks all began as national monuments.