From the April 2000 Idaho Observer:

Arizona legislature prepares another shot across the bow of USS Fedgov

The state of Arizona, which proposed a bill this session that would outline the conditions upon which it would seceed from the union, has also proposed that no new federal monuments would be established without consent of the people of Arizona. It appears that the people of Arizona are getting tired of federal meddling in state affairs.

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Forty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2000

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2001

A JOINT RESOLUTION

DENOUNCING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW NATIONAL MONUMENTS IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA WITHOUT FULL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, CONSENT AND APPROVAL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNOR AND CONGRESS.

Whereas, the establishment of two national monuments in Arizona by the President of the United States represents a misuse of the Antiquities Act of 1906 to set aside enormous parcels of real property. The Antiquities Act (16 United States Code sections 431, 432 and 433) grants authority to he President of the United States to establish national monuments, but the Act was intended to preserve only historical landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures and other objects of historic or scientific significance; and

Whereas, the proposed designation of two national monuments in Arizona clearly violates the spirit and letter of the Antiquities Act, which requires monument lands to “be confined to the smallest area” necessary to preserve and protect historical areas or objects; and

Whereas, the people of Arizona, the Arizona Legislature, the Governor of Arizona and the Congress of the United States have not consented or approved this designation, yet the creation of two new national monuments in Arizona could potentially have a significant economic impact on this state. Instead of working as a partner to help local communities and states define and achieve their conservation goals, the federal government dictates unilateral actions that would affect this state and exclude citizens and local governments from determining land management decisions in their communities; and

Whereas, land management and conservation efforts are best administered and managed at the local levels of government. The failure of the federal government to recognize and respect this basic tenet represents an arrogant usurpation by federal powers and a violation of states' rights.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

1. That the Legislature denounces the designation of two national monuments in the State of Arizona without full public participation, consent and approval of local governments, the Arizona Legislature, the Governor and the Congress of the United States.

2. That the Congress of the United States take action to prevent the designation of any national monuments in this state without full public participation, consent and approval of local governments, the Arizona Legislature, the Governor and the Congress of the United States.

3. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit a copy of this Resolution to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of the Interior, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.

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With thanks to County Action News for forwrding the above bill from the great state of Arizona