Washington, DC –  Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today released the following statement opposing proposals to expand the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument:   “Any expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument would not only negatively impact private property rights, public access and forest management, but would occur over the objections of local residents.   “Time and time again, this administration has ignored the views of residents to impose new federal restrictions on public and private land through misuse of the Antiquities Act. Monument designations invariably restrict the public’s right to access public lands, damage property owners’ ability to access and use their land, and hurt rural economies.   “That’s why my colleagues and I passed legislation on the House floor to defund monument designations in Siskiyou and Modoc Counties and protect the rights of those who live and work in the area.   “It’s time that this administration listen to those who are actually impacted by these designations, rather than deciding that Washington knows best.”   The Interior Appropriations bill for the 2017 fiscal year, HR 5538, contains language specifically defunding any monument designation in Siskiyou and Modoc Counties (Section 453), both of which have passed resolutions opposing unilateral Presidential designations. The bill was passed by the House on a 231 – 196 vote (Roll no. 477) and is now being considered in the Senate.   LaMalfa also cosponsored HR 3389, the National Monument Designation Transparency Act, with five members of the California delegation to reform the Antiquities Act by requiring Congressional approval before designations become permanent, requiring economic analysis of proposed designations, and limiting the size of designations.       Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.