Showing posts with label USFWS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USFWS. Show all posts

Thursday, August 17, 2017

National Monuments in Danger

Morning in the Valley of the Gods
Bears Ears National Monument. Utah. May 13, 2016.
Copyright © 2017 A. F. Litt, All Rights Reserved
www.aflitt.com/bearsearsnm


National Monuments in Danger

https://sites.google.com/view/nationalmonumentsindanger/home


If you appreciate posts like this, please consider becoming a monthly subscriber through Patreon! Visit https://www.patreon.com/aflitt for more information.
Before the comments deadline passes for the national monuments currently "under review" by the Interior Department for reduction or elimination, I hope to post some information and images on each of the monuments on the list.

I've been to some of them, but I will be supplementing this series with photos from other sources, too. Of course, I'd love to spend the next month on the road visiting each of them myself, but that just isn't possible right now!

This list starts with Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, the two monuments in the most jeopardy, and then will continue in alphabetical order from there.


UPDATE - July 9, 2017:

Well, I made it... At least one post on all 27 monuments!

But now?  We are down to the final HOURS of the comment period! Please, take the time today to comment on the fate of this national monument, any of the other 27 monuments on the Interior Department's list, or on the fate of all of them.


National Monuments in Danger


 National Monuments in Distress: Combating Arguments Against the Antiquities Act (August 1, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/08/national-monuments-in-distress-against-antiquities-act.html

 Oil and Gas and the BLM (July 3, 2017)
Tracking BLM press releases on Oil and Gas leases, sales, etc.
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/monuments-in-danger-oil-gas-blm.html


27 Monuments Project (June 19, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/national-monuments-in-danger-27.html


27 Monuments Update (June 30, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/national-monuments-in-danger-27_28.html

I've Got a Bad Feeling About This... (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/national-monuments-in-danger-ive-got.html
Yucca House National Monument: NPS Centennial Project (July 31, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/yucca-house-national-monument-nps.html

"Delisted" by the NPS: Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (August 2, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/08/flaming-gorge-NRA-delisted.html

Fossil Cycad National Monument: How to Kill a Monument Through Neglect (August 17, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/08/fossil-cycad-national-monument-how-to.html


National Monuments Being Initially Reviewed Pursuant to Criteria in Executive Order 13792

Executive Order 13792 - Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/26/presidential-executive-order-review-designations-under-antiquities-act


Bears Ears National Monument




Utah
2016
1,353,000 acres
BLM/USFS


Kids Speak for Parks (August 2, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/08/bears-ears-national-monument-kids-speak.html


www.aflitt.com

Current Map (June 2017):


Grand Staircase-Escalante

Utah
1996
1,700,000 acres
BLM

A Grand Stair Step (September 13, 2016)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2016/09/a-grand-stair-step.html

27 Monuments Stop #5 (June 21, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/grand-staircase-escalante-nm-27-monuments.html

 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: The Ecology Economy of Escalante (UTopia TV Episode 9) (July 29, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/grand-staircase-escalante-ecology-econ.html


Basin and Range

Nevada
2015
703,585 acres
BLM

Carl Leaves His Mark at 27 Monuments Stop #9 (June 28, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/basin-and-range-national-monument-carl.html


Berryessa Snow Mountain

California
2015
330,780 acres
BLM/USFS

A Monument in Danger (July 3, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/berryessa-snow-mountain-nm-in-danger.html

"The Indie Label of Outdoor Spaces" and 27 Monuments Stop #16 (July 3, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/berryessa-snow-mountain-NM-27-monuments.html


Canyons of the Ancients


Colorado
2000
175,160 acres
BLM


Canyons of the Ancients National Monument: Is it Really Safe? (July 31, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/canyons-of-ancients-nm-safe.html

27 Monuments Stop #3 (June 19, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/canyons-of-ancients-nm-27-monuments.html

 Sleeping Ute Mountain from Lowry Pueblo (September 23, 2016)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2016/09/sleeping-ute-mountain-from-lowry-pueblo.html

www.aflitt.com
http://www.aflitt.com/CanyonsOfTheAncientsNM 

Carrizo Plain

California
2001
204,107 acres
BLM

Super Bloom (June 13, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/carrizo-plain-national-monument-super.html

 27 Monuments Stop #18 (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/carrizo-plain-national-monument-27.html


Cascade-Siskiyou

Oregon
2000/2017
100,000 acres
BLM

Facing Elimination by Congress and 27 Monuments Stop #14 (July 1, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/cascade-siskiyou-nm-27-monuments.html

Videos and Updates (July 29, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/cascade-siskiyou-national-monument.html

Craters of the Moon

Idaho
1924/2000
737,525 acres
NPS/BLM

27 Monuments Stop #10 (June 30, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/craters-of-moon-nm-27-monuments.html

1962 Addition to the National Monument (June 18, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/craters-of-moon-nm-1962-addition.html

Storm Approaching the Craters of the Moon (September 12, 2016)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2016/09/storm-approaching-craters-of-moon.html

Giant Sequoia

California
2000
327,760 acres
USFS

27 Monuments Stop #17 (July 8, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/giant-sequoia-national-monument-27.html


Gold Butte

Nevada
2016
296,937 acres
BLM

27 Monuments Stop #8 (June 26, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/gold-butte-nm-27-monuments.html


Grand Canyon-Parashant

Arizona
2000
1,014,000 acres
NPS/BLM

27 Monuments Stop #7 (June 26, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/grand-canyon-parashant-nm-27-monuments.html

Hanford Reach

Washington
2000
194,450.93 acres
USFW


27 Monuments Stop #13 (July 1, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/hanford-reach-NM-27-monuments.html


Ironwood Forest

Arizona
2000
128,917 acres
BLM

What These 27 Monuments Mean to Me... (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/ironwood-forest-nm-what-they-mean.html

27 Monuments Stop #25 (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/ironwood-forest-nm-27-monuments.html


Mojave Trails

California
2016
1,600,000 acres
BLM

National Monuments in Danger (June 13, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/mojave-trails-nm-at-risk.html

27 Monuments Stop #22 (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/mojave-trails-nm-27-monuments.html


Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks


New Mexico
2014
496,330 acres
BLM

27 Monuments Stop #2 (June 19, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/organ-mountains-desert-peaks-national.html

Combating Arguments Against the Antiquities Act (August 1, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/08/national-monuments-in-distress-against-antiquities-act.html

Rio Grande del Norte

New Mexico
2013
242,555 acres
BLM

27 Monuments Stop #1 (June 19, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/rio-grande-del-norte-national-monument.html

Sand to Snow

California
2016
154,000 acres
BLM/USFS

National Monuments in Danger (June 14, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/sand-to-snow-national-monument-national.html

 27 Monuments Stop #21 (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/sand-to-snow-nm-27-monuments.html

San Gabriel Mountains

California
2014
346,177 acres
USFS

Los Angeles' Urban Oasis (July 3, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/san-gabriel-mountains-national-monument.html

27 Monuments Stop #20 (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/san-gabriel-mountains-nm-27-monuments.html


Sonoran Desert

Arizona
2001
486,149 acres
BLM

A Freeway Monument (July 3, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/sonoran-desert-nm-freeway-monument.html

27 Monuments Stop #24 (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/sonoran-desert-nm-27-monuments.html


Upper Missouri River Breaks

Montana
2001
377,346 acres
BLM

27 Monuments Stop #12 (July 1, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/upper-missouri-river-breaks-national.html


Vermilion Cliffs

Arizona
2000
279,568 acres
BLM

Vermilion Cliffs (September 14, 2016)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2016/09/vermilion-cliffs.html

27 Monuments Stop #6 (June 26, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/vermilion-cliffs-nm-27-monuments.html


National Monuments Being Reviewed To Determine Whether the Designation or Expansion Was Made Without Adequate Public Outreach and Coordination With Relevant Stakeholders 



Katahdin Woods and Waters 

Maine
2016
87,563 acres
NPS

Secretary Zinke Goes Exploring (June 17, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/06/katahdin-woods-and-waters.html

27 Monuments Stop #27 (July 29, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/katahdin-woods-and-waters-NM-27.html


Marine National Monuments Being Reviewed Pursuant to Executive Orders 13795 and 13792



Executive Order 13792 - Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/26/presidential-executive-order-review-designations-under-antiquities-act

Executive Order 13795 - Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/28/presidential-executive-order-implementing-america-first-offshore-energy


Marianas Trench

CNMI/Pacific Ocean
2009
60,938,240 acres

A Long Run to the Far Side (And Bottom) of the World (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/marianas-trench-marine-national.html

Sanctuaries in Danger and 27 Monuments "Stop" #26 (July 29, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/marianas-trench-MNM-sanctuaries-in-danger.html


Northeast Canyons and Seamounts

Atlantic Ocean
2016
3,114,320 acres

27 Monuments "Stop" #11 (July 1, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/northeast-canyons-and-seamounts-marine.html


Pacific Remote Islands

Pacific Ocean
2009
55,608,320 acres

27 Monuments "Stop" #19 (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/pacific-remote-islands-marine-national.html


Papahanaumokuakea

Hawaii
2006/2016
89,600,000 acres

 27 Monuments "Stop" #15 (July 3, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/papahanaumokuakea-marine-NM.html


Rose Atoll

American Samoa
2009
8,609,045 acres

27 Monuments "Stop" #23 (July 9, 2017)
http://rubble.blogspot.com/2017/07/rose-atoll-marine-national-monument-27.html



National Monuments in Danger

https://sites.google.com/view/nationalmonumentsindanger/home




MonumentsForAll.org:

NPR: What Utah's Canyon Country Can Tell Us About Trump's Monuments Review (June 10, 2017) 

This article is mostly focused on Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which is number two on the Trump Administrations hit list, but it deals with many of the same issues as the others, and it is a good look at the longer term effects of these sorts of monuments. It was the first one to be managed by the BLM and just turned 20 years old in 2016.



Leaked documents show Trump administration plans more mining and drilling on public lands (The Trump administration looks to “streamline” the fossil fuel extraction process)


Washington Post: Trump orders review of national monuments, vows to ‘end these abuses and return control to the people’



Donate to The Wilderness Society: Stop President Trump from making a monumental mistake


Salon: Dear President Trump: America’s most egregious “federal land grab” was in 1891, under Benjamin Harrison
LA Times: Here are the national monuments being reviewed under Trump's order


USA Today: 24 national monuments threatened by Trump's executive order

National Monuments in Danger

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Saturday, July 29, 2017

Marianas Trench Marine National Monument: Sanctuaries in Danger and 27 Monuments "Stop" #26

Grazers
Galatheid crabs and shrimp graze on bacterial filaments on the mussel shells. The black "scars: on the shells are former anchor points of mussels who have cut their threads and moved on. Image courtesy of NOAA Submarine Ring of Fire 2004 (Volcanoes Unit MTMNM)
Taken April 9, 2004
CC BY-NC 2.0
https://flic.kr/p/bq6SWy


National Monuments in Danger


To comment on the marine monument and sanctuary review process 
(Due August 14, 2017):
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=NOAA-NOS-2017-0066-0001


The comments period on the marine monuments has been extended until August 14, 2017. Along with the five Marine National Monuments we've looked at so far, there are also a number of National Marine Sanctuaries in danger of area reduction.

These marine parks were put into jeopardy through a second Executive Order signed by President Trump on April 28, 2017, which calls for the Secretary of Commerce to "review National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments designated or expanded since April 28, 2007."

For the National Marine Sanctuaries and for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, "the area of the original designations" are not under review, "only their respective expansion areas completed in the past 10 years."

After Brent Rose's video on the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, I'll post the list of sites affected by E. O. 13795.





National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments Under Review Pursuant to EO 13795, Sec. 4(b)

Name
Location
Action
Date
Size in acres
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
California
Expansion
May 24, 2007
9,600
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
California
Expansion
March 12, 2015
484,480
Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
California
Expansion
March 12, 2015
1,288,320
Marianas Trench Marine National Monument
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands/Pacific Ocean
Designation
January 6, 2009
60,938,240
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
California
Expansion
November 20, 2008
496,000
National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa
American Samoa
Expansion
July 26, 2012
8,691,840
Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument
Atlantic Ocean
Designation
September 15, 2016
3,114,320
Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument
Pacific Ocean
Designation; Expansion
January 6, 2009; September 25, 2014
55,608,320
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Hawaii
Expansion
August 26, 2016
283,379,840
Rose Atoll Marine National Monument (1)
American Samoa
Designation
January 6, 2009
8,608,640
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Michigan
Expansion
September 5, 2014
2,465,280

(1) All of Rose Atoll Marine National Monument is contained within National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.








To comment on the marine monument and sanctuary review process 
(July 31 - August 14, 2017):
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=NOAA-NOS-2017-0066-0001



Marianas Trench Marine National Monument Map (as of July 2017) - JPG



Links




A Long Run to the Far Side (And Bottom) of the World (July 9, 2017)

Facebook



U. S. Senate: 

Peters, Colleagues Raise Concerns over Trump Administration’s Possible Rollback of 11 Marine Sanctuary and Monument Expansions (July 18, 2017)



National Marine Sanctuaries:

NOAA to reopen public comment period on review of national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments (July 26, 2017)



Marianas Trench Marine National Monument:

USFWS Website
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mariana_trench_marine_national_monument



The White House:

Proclamation 8335 -- Establishment of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument
http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/Library/MNM/Proclamation%208335%20-%20Marianas%20Trench.pdf



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Sunday, July 09, 2017

Marianas Trench Marine National Monument: A Long Run to the Far Side (And Bottom) of the World

A degassing event at Brimstone Pit
A degassing event at Brimstone Pit at NW Rota-1 volcano releases an extraordinary number of bubbles, probably carbon dioxide. The yellow parts of the plume (seen here in the background) contain tiny droplets of molten sulfur. Image courtesy of NOAA Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 (Volcanoes Unit MTMNM)
Taken on April 27, 2006
CC BY-NC 2.0
https://flic.kr/p/bD1Pht


National Monuments in Danger


We are down to the FINAL HOURS of the comment period!  Please, take the time today to comment on the fate of this national monument, any of the other 27 monuments on the Interior Department's list, or on the fate of all of them.  


To comment on the monument review process (due July 10, 2017):



Okay, really?  Our country is looking at getting rid of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument?  This is just insane!

I mean, come on, it's the lowest point on the Earth.  It's the opposite of Mt. Everest!  And it's in United States' territory.  Not protecting this site is an insult to the world.

From the NOAA website

The Mariana Trench is the "Grand Canyon" of the ocean (actually 120 times larger), including some of the deepest known areas on earth. The region is geologically very complex, including a subduction zone, back arc basins, and active simmering island and submarine volcanoes. The active volcanoes and thermal vents support life under some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Maug Crater represents one of only a few places on Earth where photosynthetic and chemosynthetic communities of life are known to coexist. The waters of the archipelago's northern islands are also among the most biologically diverse in the Western Pacific. The greatest diversity of seamount and hydrothermal vent life yet discovered was found in the Marianas Trench.





For me, this post is a bit of a milestone.  I made it to the goal of posting at least once on every one of the 27 monuments in danger.  Of course, I wish I could have done much more, written much more about each of these places, and I am sure that I will have the opportunity to do so next week, too.

Even after the comments period closes, we can still be active, writing our politicians and other stakeholders to continue the fight.

Because I fear that, regardless of the incredibly positive input received by the Department of the Interior, and regardless of Secretary Ryan Zinke's final recomendations, that President Trump may just eliminate all or most of these places, anyway.

And there are disturbing signs...  But for today, for right now, the best thing to do is to leave some comments by following the links on this page and many others...

Not to beat a dead horse (just dying national monuments), We are down to the FINAL HOURS of the comment period!

Please, take the time today to comment on the fate of this national monument, any of the other 27 monuments on the Interior Department's list, or on the fate of all of them.

To comment on the monument review process (due July 10, 2017):
https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=DOI-2017-0002-0001


Grazers


From National Geographic:


The monument, established in 2009, protects the deepest known points of the ocean as well as active undersea volcanoes and hot springs.


On the summit of East Diamante


From the USFWS Website:

On January 6, 2009, President George W. Bush established the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument by Presidential Proclamation under the authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906. The monument incorporates approximately 95,216 square miles within three units in the Mariana Archipelago. The Mariana Trench Unit is almost 1,100 miles long and 44 miles wide and includes only the submerged lands. The Volcanic Unit consists of small circles (2.3 miles in diameter) around 21 undersea mud volcanoes and thermal vents along the Mariana Arc, again only the submerged lands. The Islands Unit includes only the waters and submerged lands of the three northernmost Mariana Islands, Farallon de Pajaros or Uracas, Maug, and Asuncion, below the mean low water line.

On January 16, 2009, the Secretary of the Interior delegated his management responsibilities for the monument to the Fish and Wildlife Service through Secretary’s Order 3284. The Secretary’s Order also placed two of the units (the Mariana Trench and Volcanic Units) within the National Wildlife Refuge System as the Mariana Trench and Mariana Arc of Fire National WIldlife Refuges.


tubeworms


These videos are pretty amazing, and there are more available through the links below.  I could get lost for hours in these, but I need to keep on with some additional posts today.  Just because I've got all 27 monuments barely covered doesn't mean that there isn't a ton more content to add, and I think tomorrow's deadline will only mean a phase change in the process, not the end.

Stay tuned for more updates on how to save our monuments!

















NOAA: Earth-Oceans Interaction Program (YouTube)

Marianas Expeditions 2014 - Present
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwYal-KFaA52F5lF9IUd9oA/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=13

Marianas Expeditions 2004 - 2010
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwYal-KFaA52F5lF9IUd9oA



Marianas Trench Marine National Monument Map (as of July 2017) - JPG

To comment on the monument review process (due July 10, 2017):




Links



Rubble - National Monuments in Danger:

Marianas Trench Marine National Monument

Facebook



Marianas Trench Marine National Monument:

USFWS Website
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mariana_trench_marine_national_monument




The White House:

Proclamation 8335 -- Establishment of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument
http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/Library/MNM/Proclamation%208335%20-%20Marianas%20Trench.pdf



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