The top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee says she is “deeply concerned” with the Trump administration review of national monuments. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke submitted findings to the White House last week as part of a review of 27 national monuments, which includes thousands of acres of U.S. Forest Service land, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Trump administration has refused to release the report while the White House reviews the findings. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan last week stated failing to release the report is “totally unacceptable.” She says proceeding with the recommendations is “irresponsible and betrays our duty as stewards of our public lands.” However, livestock groups were encouraged by the report. Leadership with the Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association say past presidents “have repeatedly abused their authority under the Antiquities Act” by locking up more than 240 million acres without economic analysis.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.