A recently released opinion from the Justice Department suggests that the Trump administration may seek to unilaterally eliminate national monument designations. The administration has previously expressed interest in shrinking or removing protections on protected lands to clear the way for resource extraction or development, and the DOJ opinion would seem to mark an escalation of those priorities. The stakes are particularly high here in Arizona, where we have the second-highest number of national monuments in the country. Roger Naylor, author of “Arizona National Parks and Monuments: Scenic Wonders and Cultural Treasures of the Grand Canyon State,” joined The Show to discuss the implications of this. … “These are essential places to us, not only for our recreation, not only for tourism, but just protecting wildlife corridors and very often protecting watersheds, keeping our water supply safe as well,” (says Naylor.)

Other national monument and Antiquities Act news:

• Post Independent (Glenwood Springs, Colo.): Justice Department says Trump has power to rescind national monument designations
• E&E News by Politico: Trump bid to shrink monuments could prompt big legal battle
• Indianz.com: Sacred sites face renewed threats amid political shifts in Washington
• The Land Desk: Blog: Trump’s DOJ takes aim at the Antiquities Act