Obama Designates Half-Million-Acre Monument, Beef Association Calls It Antiquities Act Abuse

President Obama on May 21 signed a proclamation designating a new monument in southern New Mexico that will cover nearly a half-million acres, the largest monument designation President Obama has made to date. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association opposes the decision, the organization announced in a news release.

Contrary to the White House’s claim of ranchers support, it said, the designation encompasses 68% of public grazing lands and 9,000 head of cattle in Dona Ana County, threatening the livelihood of these family ranching operations.

Under the 1906 Antiquities Act, the President has power to declare monument designations, which often come with overreaching and restrictive management provisions in the name of environmental protections. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is President Obama’s 11th monument designation and a clear abuse of power with a designation of this size and scale, said New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association President and NCBA Member Jose Varela Lopez.

The decision was driven from pressure by radical special interest groups without the consideration of the negative impact on local economies or the will of local residents, said Valera Lopez. He stated that adding layers of red tape and regulation will hinder ranchers’ ability to continue operating in the area.

Despite claims that grazing will continue within the monument boundaries, the proclamation excludes livestock grazing, and the managing agency will be able to diminish or eliminate existing ranching operations in an effort to “protect” the land.

Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) sent a letter to President Obama urging reconsideration of the designation. Bishop wrote that added restrictions have hindered law enforcement’s ability to protect the border and will make it easier for drug smugglers and human traffickers to move their drugs and people in and out of the United States unnoticed.