The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) today issued a statement opposing the designation of the Moon as a National Monument under the Antiquities Act, announced in a proclamation signed by President Donald J. Trump.
While BRC recognizes the Moon’s undeniable scientific, cultural, and historical significance, the organization expressed serious concerns regarding the unprecedented scope and implications of this sweeping designation.
“This proclamation represents the most expansive and impractical use of the Antiquities Act we’ve ever seen—quite literally,” said a BRC Executive Director, Ben Burr. “While we appreciate the importance of preserving significant resources, extending federal land-use restrictions to the entire lunar surface is the most egregious example we’ve ever seen that demonstrates the Antiquities Act truly has no discernible limit.”
The proclamation cites authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate the entirety of the Moon as protected federal land, prohibiting industrial activity, restricting recreational access, and severely limiting human presence to narrowly defined scientific purposes. BRC noted that such a designation would represent a dramatic departure from the original intent of the law, which was designed to protect discrete cultural and natural features within the United States.
“Historically, monument designations have already stretched the limits of the Antiquities Act here on Earth,” Burr continued. “Applying it to celestial bodies—well beyond U.S. borders—sets a concerning precedent that highlights ongoing issues with executive overreach and lack of congressional involvement.”
BRC also raised concerns about the sweeping prohibition on recreational access, noting that responsible exploration and public engagement have long been central to the American spirit.
“From public lands to, apparently now, public space, access matters,” BRC Policy Director Simone Griffin said. “Policies that completely eliminate recreational opportunities—whether on Earth or beyond—fail to strike a reasonable balance between preservation and responsible use. This designation kills what could be a mulit-billion dollar space tourism industry in its infancy.”
BRC concluded by reiterating its longstanding position that land (and now apparently space) management decisions should involve transparent processes, public input, and congressional oversight.
“Whether it’s millions of acres in the American West or 14.6 million square miles on the lunar surface, the principle remains the same,” Burr added. “Decisions of this magnitude should not be made unilaterally.”
For more information about BRC’s work to protect access and promote responsible use, visit their website.
Click Here To Read the Full Proclamation
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