A Monumental Future: Evaluating the Roles of Federal Agencies in Managing New National Monuments

Summary

The central purpose of this research was to analyze the similarities and differences between the National Park Service’s (NPS) and the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) planning and management of public lands, focusing specifically on national monuments. Public lands are shared by everyone, and BLM must abide by laws and regulations to develop plans for its national monuments that are acceptable to the public, while simultaneously providing for protection of the objects located within the monuments. Typically, BLM manages for multiple use and sustained yields, whereas, NPS manages for single use.

This research addressed national monuments throughout the nation, but focused specifically on the five BLM designated national monuments in Arizona. In total, there are eighteen national monuments in Arizona, where thirteen are managed by NPS, four are managed by BLM, and one, the Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument, is cooperatively managed by NPS and BLM.

A survey was conducted and six question themes emerged, which were individual profiles, agency profiles, planning and policy of national monuments, management of national monuments, the public’s perception of national monuments, and administration and funding differences of national monuments. Thirty-three key representatives in three stakeholder groups were identified and interviewed.

Main findings indicate that (1) NPS and BLM can learn from each other to provide overall better national monuments, (2) differences between the two agencies will affect the overall planning and management of BLM designated national monuments, (3) differences between the two agencies will affect the overall general public’s perception and administration and funding of national monuments, (4) BLM needs a stronger National Landscape Conservation System mission, (5) the term “national monument” must be defined by Congress because there are national and internal inconsistencies, (6) anticipated management and implementation of plans for BLM monuments may not protect the objects or resources due to insufficient funding, (7) BLM is an appropriate agency to manage national monuments, and (8) BLM has the potential to manage national monuments well by providing protection, as well as by offering multiple use.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Antiquities Act -- Its History and Use   •
• Antiquities Act - Congressional Reports, Legal Docs, Law Review Articles

Keywords

File Information