Inside the Interior Department's Review of National Monuments

The fate of 26 national monuments hangs in the balance, as the Interior Department holds a review process. Public comment is open until July 10.

1 minute read

May 19, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Forest Lightning

The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is one of the national monuments at the center of a Trump Administration review of public lands. | davidhoffmann photography / Shutterstock

Kayla Tausche reports on the proceedings so far in a President Trump directive to review national monument designations over the last two decades. Tausche catches up with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who is leading the review, as the process heads into public comment.

"Since the window for public comments period opened Friday, more than 10,000 letters have been posted on the Interior Department's landing page. Some support the review; others support keeping the monuments as they are," according to Tausche.

Secretary Zinke has stated that he recognizes both sides of the issue, which is pitting commercial ranching, fishing, and logging interests on one side against the outdoor recreation industry and environmentalists on the other. For an example of the latter, Brendan Mysliwiec posted an appeal to the American Rivers website, calling the review a "prelude to a monumental selloff."

Tausche also takes a look at some case studies of the national monuments that will be under review and the economic and political issues at play in each example. 

Monday, May 15, 2017 in CNBC

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business