“Hispanic Access Foundation is in favor of the Antiquities Act, and for presidents to continue to hold this authority. We oppose the introduction of this bill because it disfavors and goes against the needs and concerns of Latinos throughout the country. Numerous polls consistently show Latino support for conservation efforts, including the designation of national monuments. According to the 2024 Conservation in the West Poll, a bipartisan poll, 89% of Latino voters support creating new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and tribal protected areas to protect historic sites or areas for outdoor recreation. This data can serve as compelling evidence of the broad public backing for maintaining the Act.

“Latino communities, Por La Creación Faith-Based Alliance, and Hispanic Access have played a significant role in supporting the President’s use of the Antiquities Act to designate national monuments in their communities. Together, we successfully advocated for the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in California, the Chuckwalla National Monument, the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada, the Castner Range National Monument in Texas, and the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni--Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona, conserving many thousands of acres of natural resources and cultural heritage sites where Latino families get together to enjoy nature, nurture their health and well-being, and connect with their heritage.

“Latino communities are disproportionately affected by the nature gap--the unequal access to parks, green spaces, and outdoor recreation opportunities. 67% of Latinos live in nature-deprived areas, as opposed to other communities. National monuments help reduce the nature gap and also create jobs, enhance communities, and help boost local outdoor recreation economies. We look forward to continuing a dialogue with policymakers to ensure that public lands remain protected and accessible for all communities.”

Congress passed the Antiquities Act in 1906, giving presidents the ability to protect cultural, historic, and ecological resources on federally managed public lands and waters by designating national monuments. The Antiquities Act has been a bipartisan success, as it has been used by nine Republican and nine Democratic presidents to designate or expand more than 160 national monuments.