Public Lands Council leaders are disappointed with executive action taken by President Obama to designate three more national monuments under the Antiquities Act. The designation adds over a million acres to federal jurisdiction, taking it out of the hands of farmers and ranchers. Council Executive Director, Dustin Van Liew says the effects of the executive action are very negative for agriculture now and in the future.

Van Liew says the precedent set by these designations could be harmful to livestock producers in other states.

He says his group is weighing in with federal lawmakers to try and overturn these or any future designations.

Van Liew says the recent designations brings the total to more than 260 million acres of land and water that are now under restrictive management due to President Obama’s orders.