On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing titled “Examining the Biden Administration’s Efforts to Limit Access to Public Lands.” In...more
This week, the Court considers the President’s authority under the Antiquities Act to preclude logging on federal lands that another federal statute contemplated would generally be used as timberlands, and it addresses how...more
A number of iconic, large-scale construction projects are currently in development as part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 − an ambitious strategic blueprint for the creation of a more diverse and sustainable...more
Utilizing his authority under the Antiquities Act, President Biden recently issued a proclamation restoring protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, an outstanding ocean area approximately...more
On New Year’s Day 2021, Congress passed the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA 2020). As we reported last April, the AMLA 2020 included sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening protections against money laundering,...more
On March 22, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in a case that upheld President Obama’s designation under the Antiquities Act of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in the northern...more
Today, President Biden issued the much awaited Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (the “Order”). Section 208 orders a “pause” on issuing new oil and gas leases on public lands or offshore waters...more
On January 1, 2021, the National Defense Authorization Act became law after Congress overrode the President’s veto. As highlighted below, Congress enacted a variety of key provisions that create significant and sweeping...more
The Trump Administration has taken the position that the President not only has the power under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to unilaterally establish national monuments, but also the unfettered authority to reduce in size or...more
Lawsuit challenges President’s authority to shrink Bears Ears National Monument - The Salt Lake Tribune - Dec 7 A coalition of American Indian tribes, recreation interests including the outdoor clothing manufacturer...more
As expected, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke on Thursday delivered his draft report to the President regarding the fate of certain national monuments, as directed by Executive Order No. 13792. Specifically, the President...more
The US government's settlement with Hobby Lobby on July 5, 2017 is part of its broader effort to combat trafficking in looted antiquities from the war-torn Middle East and to reduce market demand for such objects by punishing...more
On April 26, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13792, Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act (“Order”), which requires the Secretary of the Interior (“Secretary”) to review all Presidential designations...more
By executive order, President Trump directed the Department of Interior to review national monuments designated since 1996 under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The Antiquities Act grants the President authority to designate...more