Are America's national treasures under threat? See which ones could lose protection
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America’s most treasured landmarks could be in jeopardy. A new threat may strip protections from some of the nation’s most iconic sites.
Could these national monuments soon be at risk?
The Department of the Interior, the federal agency responsible for managing and conserving most federally owned land, has been directed to reassess its approach to energy production on public lands.
This comes in the wake of an executive order by President Donald Trump, which aimed to bolster “energy exploration and production on Federal lands and waters.”
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has echoed this sentiment, calling for a review of oil, gas, and mining activities on public lands and seeking ways to reduce “barriers to the use of Federal lands for energy development.”
The executive and secretarial orders cite the need for affordable and reliable energy to fuel economic growth and reduce dependence on foreign resources.
Some argue that certain regulations have restricted access to America’s natural resources.
They believe that easing these restrictions could allow for more efficient resource management.
While the National Park System includes 433 units, only 63 have the permanent “national park” designation granted by Congress.
The rest, including national monuments created under the Antiquities Act, may be impacted by proposals for expanded energy development.
National monuments are expansive areas of land set aside for their natural, historical, or cultural significance.
They are not merely statues or small markers, but often vast landscapes that preserve the integrity of ecosystems and historical sites.
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), an independent organization dedicated to protecting the National Park System, has identified 13 national monuments that could be at risk due to their proximity to known oil fields and mineral locations:
1. Aztec Ruins National Monument (New Mexico)
2. Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument (Arizona)
3. Bears Ears National Monument (Utah)
4. Devils Tower National Monument (Wyoming)
5. Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado, Utah)
6. Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument (Arizona)
7. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Utah)
8. Hovenweep National Monument (Colorado, Utah)
9. Jewel Cave National Monument (South Dakota)
10. Natural Bridges National Monument (Utah)
11. Scottsbluff National Monument (Nebraska)
12. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (Arizona)
13. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument (Arizona)
These monuments are managed by various federal agencies, including the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and in some cases, co-managed with tribal governments.
This isn't the first time national monuments have faced such threats.
During his first term, Trump ordered a review that led to significant reductions in the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. These reductions were later reversed by former President Joe Biden.
However, the NPCA warns that even short-term exploitation can have long-lasting impacts on these delicate ecosystems, particularly in dry, arid regions where recovery can take decades.
The Department of the Interior has stated that its “Energy Dominance” policies will include opportunities for public comment and scientific analysis.
However, the absence of further statements from the Office of the Secretary has led to questions about how energy development and conservation will be balanced.
As stewards of our nation's natural and cultural treasures, it is imperative that we remain vigilant and informed about the policies that could affect these irreplaceable landscapes.
Let's unite in our efforts to safeguard America's national monuments and ensure that they continue to inspire awe and wonder for many years to come.
What do these national monuments mean to you? Have you visited any of them, and what memories do they hold? How can we ensure that these sites remain protected for future generations to enjoy?
Share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments below!
Could these national monuments soon be at risk?
The Department of the Interior, the federal agency responsible for managing and conserving most federally owned land, has been directed to reassess its approach to energy production on public lands.
This comes in the wake of an executive order by President Donald Trump, which aimed to bolster “energy exploration and production on Federal lands and waters.”
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has echoed this sentiment, calling for a review of oil, gas, and mining activities on public lands and seeking ways to reduce “barriers to the use of Federal lands for energy development.”
The executive and secretarial orders cite the need for affordable and reliable energy to fuel economic growth and reduce dependence on foreign resources.
National park advocates express concern that 13 national monuments could face changes to their federal protections. Image source: National Park Service.
Some argue that certain regulations have restricted access to America’s natural resources.
They believe that easing these restrictions could allow for more efficient resource management.
While the National Park System includes 433 units, only 63 have the permanent “national park” designation granted by Congress.
The rest, including national monuments created under the Antiquities Act, may be impacted by proposals for expanded energy development.
National monuments are expansive areas of land set aside for their natural, historical, or cultural significance.
They are not merely statues or small markers, but often vast landscapes that preserve the integrity of ecosystems and historical sites.
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), an independent organization dedicated to protecting the National Park System, has identified 13 national monuments that could be at risk due to their proximity to known oil fields and mineral locations:
1. Aztec Ruins National Monument (New Mexico)
2. Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument (Arizona)
3. Bears Ears National Monument (Utah)
4. Devils Tower National Monument (Wyoming)
5. Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado, Utah)
6. Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument (Arizona)
7. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Utah)
8. Hovenweep National Monument (Colorado, Utah)
9. Jewel Cave National Monument (South Dakota)
10. Natural Bridges National Monument (Utah)
11. Scottsbluff National Monument (Nebraska)
12. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (Arizona)
13. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument (Arizona)
These monuments are managed by various federal agencies, including the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and in some cases, co-managed with tribal governments.
This isn't the first time national monuments have faced such threats.
During his first term, Trump ordered a review that led to significant reductions in the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. These reductions were later reversed by former President Joe Biden.
However, the NPCA warns that even short-term exploitation can have long-lasting impacts on these delicate ecosystems, particularly in dry, arid regions where recovery can take decades.
The Department of the Interior has stated that its “Energy Dominance” policies will include opportunities for public comment and scientific analysis.
However, the absence of further statements from the Office of the Secretary has led to questions about how energy development and conservation will be balanced.
As stewards of our nation's natural and cultural treasures, it is imperative that we remain vigilant and informed about the policies that could affect these irreplaceable landscapes.
Let's unite in our efforts to safeguard America's national monuments and ensure that they continue to inspire awe and wonder for many years to come.
Share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments below!
