President Makes Monumental Decision > Page 1, 2
Grand Canyon-Parashant
Located on the Colorado Plateau in northwestern Arizona, the Grand
Canyon-Parashant
National Monument basically defines the western end of the Grand Canyon. Many of region's streams and gorges feed into the Grand Canyon
and its layers of Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rock offer a clear view to
understanding the geological history of the Colorado Plateau. It features
brightly colored cliffs, a maze of side canyons, ponderosa pine forests, and, of
course, breathtaking vistas. Bighorn sheep and desert tortoise also find refuge here.
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Agua Fria
Located about 40 miles north of Phoenix, Agua Fria (Spanish for "cold water") National
Monument features some of the most extensive prehistoric ruins in the Southwest,
including
petroglyphs and rock pueblos. The area also holds a significant record of
prehistoric agricultural features, including extensive terraces and other
landscape modifications. Several thousand people lived here in pueblo
communities between 1250 and 1450 A.D. and at least 450 prehistoric sites are
known to exist in the new monument. It also encompasses historic
sites that represent early Anglo-American history through the 19th century,
including remnants of Basque sheep camps, historic mining features, and military
activities.
Characterized by a high semi-desert plateau, the elevations at Agua Fria National Monument range from 2,150 feet above sea level along the Agua Fria Canyon to about 4,560 feet in the northern hills. The area will be managed by the Bureau of Land Management, primarily for the purposes of preservation, but currently permitted livestock grazing, hunting, and fishing will generally not be affected. New mining claims and the current prohibition of off-road vehicles will be made permanent.
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The monument includes thousands of small, federally owned islands, rocks, and exposed reefs along the entire 840-mile California coast and extending out for 12 miles. The area is a critical component of a unique marine ecosystem and supports a rich array of marine organisms, including sea lions, elephant seals, harbor seals, sea otters, and millions of seabirds.
With the new designation, the monument will continue to operate under the umbrella of the Bureau of Land Management, even though the area is managed by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Pinnacles National Monument
Established in 1908, the Pinnacles is located southeast of San Jose. Originally only 2,060 acres in size, it has been expanded five times by past Presidents and once by Congress. With the additional 8,000 acres added by President Clinton, the Pinnacles National Monument now includes 24,265 acres. The monument is an area comprised of stunning rock spires and spectacular geological features, including caves and volcanic formations.
The lands added to the Pinnacles were acquired through the purchase of private property and the transfer of land from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service. It will now be off-limits to mining, commercial development, and off-road vehicles.
Other useful resources:
Photographs of Agua Fria National Monument (BLM)
Photographs of Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (BLM)
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