SE Valley Times

Senate President Warren Petersen has urged the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to consider a case against President Joe Biden's actions concerning land seizures in Utah. Petersen, representing Arizona, claims Biden's actions constitute an "egregious abuse of power."

The controversy stems from Biden's decision to designate over three million acres in southern Utah as national monuments in 2021. This move is being challenged by the Attorney General of Utah, who argues it violates the Antiquities Act. A federal judge recently dismissed this challenge, stating that the Act grants presidents broad authority to declare national monuments.

Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma have filed an amicus curiae brief supporting Garfield County's appeal against this dismissal. They argue that Biden's actions exceed the limitations set by Congress when it enacted the Antiquities Act in 1906. The Act was intended to allow presidents to reserve only small areas necessary for protecting significant landmarks or structures.

President Petersen criticized Biden’s decisions as having negative impacts on local economies and accused him of pandering to environmentalists at the expense of mining and ranching industries. He stated, "It is time for the courts to weigh in and stop this federal corruption."

Petersen emphasized that without action from Arizona's Attorney General, the state legislature would take steps to protect local communities from what he described as unconstitutional federal overreach.