Trump Can’t Have It Both Ways on National Monuments

WASHINGTON – President Trump has signed a proclamation declaring Camp Nelson, a Civil War site in Kentucky, a national monument.

The following is a statement from Ana Unruh Cohen, managing director for government affairs for the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Camp Nelson tells a key part of the story of the African American military experience during the Civil War. This site by all means deserves our country’s highest protection.

"It’s ironic, though, to see President Trump and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke discover the value of the Antiquities Act—the federal law that allows for designation of special places like these.  The Trump Administration has been working hard to gut that very law—eviscerating protections for two of America’s national monuments, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante.

"Presidents have the power under the Antiquities Act to create—but not undo—monuments. So Camp Nelson—like Bears Ears and all of our historic and natural treasures designated as monuments—is now protected for all time.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​

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