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How The Antiquities Act Has Expanded The National Park System And Fueled Struggles Over Land Protection, John Freemuth

Public Policy and Administration Faculty Publications and Presentations

As Americans anticipate summer vacation, many are planning trips to our nation’s iconic national parks, such as the Grand Canyon, Zion, Acadia and Olympic. But they may not realize that these and other parks exist because presidents used their power under the Antiquities Act, enacted on June 8, 1906, to protect those places from exploitation and development.