California’s newest national monument spans 624,000 acres—nearly the size of Rhode Island. But was this about conservation, or was it something else? The Antiquities Act was designed to protect specific historical and scientific sites, yet this designation locked away vast lands, limiting access for landowners, miners, off-roaders, and even the energy sector.
Greg Hering, former Marine and mining advocate, raises key questions about the impact on private property rights, economic opportunities, and national security. Could this land hold the critical minerals America needs? And how will this designation affect local communities and industries?
In this episode, we examine what this monument designation means for Californians—who benefits, who faces new challenges, and what might come next.
