(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told a Senate committee today that there is no “hidden federal agenda” to designate national monuments in Utah and around the West. Salazar, testifying before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, downplayed a leaked Interior memo highlighting 14 potential new monuments, including two in Utah, saying it was simply an effort to gather ideas from his staff. Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah released the Interior memo two weeks ago, arguing that he had unearthed what could be plans by the Obama administration to convert public lands in Utah and other states to national monuments. The move would block any development or oil and gas drilling in those areas. Two of the sites listed included San Juan County’s Cedar Mesa and Emery County’s San Rafael Swell. The release prompted Sen. Bob Bennett to ask Salazar to turn over all documents and correspondence to him relating to the discussions in light of the action former President Clinton took in designating the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument without local input. Salazar commented there’s no such move towards designating national monuments.