The House this week passed the Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act. It amends the Antiquities Act and requires potential monument designations of five thousand acres or more are given full review. Public Lands Council Executive Director Dustin Van Liew says the EPICS legislation protects grazing on public lands and prevents indiscriminate federal takeover of those without public involvement.

Van Liew says amendment of the Antiquities Act has been needed to keep grazers from being restricted from using their grazing areas or downsizing their operations due to federal encroachment.

Van Liew says his group is encouraging the Senate to take up companion legislation to the EPICs Act quickly and get it approved.