Legal Analysis of Presidential Ability to Revoke National Monuments
Analysis (117 KB)The president has no power to unilaterally abolish a national monument under the 1906 Antiquities Act.
Legal Analysis of the Antiquities Act and Marine Monuments
The Antiquities Act of 1906 may be used to protect marine areas.
See more ›In response to ongoing threats to this century-old conservation tool, NPCA retained the law firm Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer (APKS) to analyze the Antiquities Act. APKS determined that the president “has no power unilaterally to abolish a national monument under the Antiquities Act of 1906.”
To see full analysis, click the green button above labeled “Analysis.”
For Media Inquiries
-
Blog Post
Why Draining Mojave’s Aquifer is a Really Bad Idea
Pulling water from the Mojave Desert would damage prized national parkland and deepen water insecurity for communities. Here are frequently asked questions about the latest attempt by Cadiz Inc. to…
-
Blog Post
Which Presidents Have Created the Most National Monuments?
Presidents from both political parties have used the Antiquities Act to preserve the landscapes and historic places that help tell America's story. Some of these stories are now being threatened…
-
Blog Post
Inside the FY26 National Park Service Budget
In January, park advocates across the country celebrated the passage of the fiscal year 2026 funding bill that includes the National Park Service budget. But what does this hard-won funding…
