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President Obama has just created the latest National Monument, Chimney Rock National Monument in Colorado. The bill was put forward by many in the Colorado delegation (including the local Representative - a Republican, Scott Tipton and the Democratic Senator, Michael Bennet), but like everything else in Congress it was stuck in the La Brea Tar Pits that is swallowing our government.
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So, the Republican Congressman (Scott Tipton) from the district who wants to get re-elected spoke with the Democratic President who wants to get re-elected. And, the administration can designate National Monuments if the site had been a National Historic Area (via the 1906 Antiquities Act). Chimney Rock has been a National Historic Site for years due to it's historical importance to the Pueblo Indians.
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So we now have 103 National Monuments. Full Story
I have to admit, growing up visiting National Parks and Monuments all California - I LOVE the desert / high desert landscape. There is a majesty to the wilderness that calls to me. (Granted, calls me to hike, then spend the night in a hotel - but calls none the less.)