Improved National Monument Designation Process Act

To provide for congressional approval of national monuments and restrictions on the use of national monuments, to establish requirements for the declaration of marine national monuments, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improved National Monument Designation Process Act 2. Designation of national monuments (a) In general Section 320301 of title 54, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking The President may, in the President's discretion After obtaining congressional approval of the proposed national monument, certifying compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (2) by adding at the end the following: (e) Requirements for declaration of marine national monuments (1) Definition of exclusive economic zone In this subsection, the term exclusive economic zone 16 U.S.C. 1453 (2) Requirements The President may not declare any area of the exclusive economic zone to be a national monument unless— (A) the declaration is specifically authorized by an Act of Congress; (B) the President has certified compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (C) the President has submitted to the Governor of each State and each territory, any part of which is located within 100 nautical miles of the proposed national monument, a proposal to make the declaration; (D) the Governor of each State and territory described in subparagraph (C) submits to the President notice that the legislature of the State or territory has approved the proposal submitted under that paragraph; and (E) the declaration is substantially the same as the proposal submitted under subparagraph (C). . (b) Restrictions on public use Section 320303 of title 54, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking The Secretary, (a) In general The Secretary, ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Restrictions on public use The Secretary, or the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to any area of the exclusive economic zone (as defined in section 320301(e)(1)) designated as a national monument, shall not implement any restrictions on the public use of a national monument until the expiration of an appropriate review period (as determined by the Secretary or the Secretary of Commerce, as applicable) providing for public input and congressional approval. .

Summary: Improved National Monument Designation Process Act Before a national monument can be designated on public land, the President must obtain congressional approval, certify compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and receive notice from the governor of the state in which the monument is to be located that the state legislature has enacted legislation approving its designation. The President may not declare any area of the exclusive economic zone to be a marine national monument unless: it is specifically authorized by Congress, the President has certified compliance with NEPA, and each state legislature within 100 nautical miles of the proposed monument has approved it. Neither the Department of the Interior nor the Department of Commerce may implement a restriction on the public use of a marine national monument until the expiration of an appropriate review period providing for public input and congressional approval.