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PRESERVING AMERICA'S LANDS LEGACY:
NATURAL AND HISTORIC SITES PROTECTED IN 1999
August 21, 1999
In his radio address today, President Clinton announced a landmark agreement
to protect 9,300 acres adjoining Yellowstone National Park - a critical step
to preserve the park's famed bison and geysers. Below are other natural or historic
sites acquired this year by federal agencies:
CALIFORNIA
Big Sur Ecosystem - Sea Vista Ranch property. Over 200 acres on the ocean-facing
slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains adjacent to the Los Padres National Forest.
Will provide coordinated protection of, and public access to, this significant
resource area along California's scenic Highway 1, as well as habitat for
species including the peregrine falcon and Santa Lucia fir tree.
COLORADO
Conundrum Creek - Over 400 acres of mineral and timber rights in this popular
wilderness area in the White River National Forest, eight miles south of Aspen.
Will remove the threat of quarry operations incompatible with wilderness values.
GEORGIA
Cumberland Island National Seashore - Over 1100 acres of the Greyfield North
tract, the largest private tract on this island. Acquisition will prevent
development and ensure management in keeping with the unspoiled nature of
the island.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site - Two historic residences
on either side of Martin Luther King's birth home on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta.
The Administration also has requested $5 million in fiscal year 2000 to acquire
much of the remaining historical area, including the chapel, Freedom Hall,
and the crypt and eternal flame.
IDAHO
Salmon Wild and Scenic River - Easements for Shepp Ranch and Yellow Pine
Bar, two key riverfront properties along the Salmon River. This will prevent
development, permit continued public access, and retain the undisturbed character
necessary for bald eagle, steelhead, and Chinook salmon habitat.
MICHIGAN
Huron-Maniatee National Forest -- Over 5000 acres offered by Consumers Power
in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Will permit continued public access for
recreation along scenic trails and wild and scenic rivers, as well as critical
wildlife habitat.
MONTANA
Royal Teton Ranch - Will protect about 8000 acres adjacent to Yellowstone
National Park through a combination of acquisition, conservation easements
and land exchanges. Land will be owned and managed by the Gallatin National
Forest, and will provide critical migration corridors for Yellowstone bison,
elk, bighorn sheep, antelope and mule deer, as well as increased public access
to these spectacular lands. Will also protect Yellowstone's hot springs and
geysers from harm due to development of geothermal wells outside the park.
Lindberg Lake - About 1800 acres offered by Plum Creek Timber Company, including
five miles of shoreline on Lindberg Lake adjacent to Flathead National Forest.
Will protect against development and ensure water quality, continued public
access and recreation, and habitat for bald eagle and grizzly bear.
Gallatin National Forest - Over 4000 acres offered by Big Sky Lumber Company
in the Taylor Fork area in southwestern Montana. Will protect against development
between Yellowstone National Park and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, provide
backcountry recreation opportunities, and provide habitat for elk, moose and
grizzly bear.
NEW MEXICO
Bandelier National Monument - Over 80 acres of the Elk Meadows subdivision
which will be added to Bandelier to prevent development, protect the headwaters
of the Upper Alamo Watershed which drains into the Monument, and protect the
historic sites and petroglyphs within the Monument.
OREGON
Pacific Northwest Streams - Over 900 acres in Oregon and Washington adjacent
to various national forests and important to the protection of at-risk Northwest
fish stocks including salmon and steelhead.
TEXAS
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Protection from development
of a corridor from Falcon Dam to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Includes wetlands,
barrier islands, and eleven distinct biotic communities with habitat for 17
threatened or endangered species including peregrine falcon, Texas tortoise,
and brown pelican.
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Wild Waterways - The Forest Lodge (Burke) property in the Chequamegon-Nicolet
National Forests on the shoreline of Namekagon Lake. Part of a Forest Service
effort to protect undeveloped lakeshores in Wisconsin to enhance public recreation
and protect bald eagle habitat and sensitive plant species.
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