In November 1998, Secretary Babbitt went to Northern Arizona and began a dialogue that has included two more visits, two large public meetings, and more than 59 other meetings with concerned local governments, tribes and other groups regarding the future of these lands. Congressman Bob Stump introduced a bill (H.R. 2795) that would actually have lowered protections in existing law, thus allowing the degradation of these lands in perpetuity. Senator Kyl also introduced legislation on this subject (S. 1560), but no hearings have been held on it.

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The proposed monument would include all the islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles above the high water mark owned by the U.S. Government along the 840 mile California coast, extending out for 12 miles. (Because of the scattered small bits of land involved, acreage cannot be readily calculated and is not meaningful.) Islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles already appropriated or reserved for other purposes would not be affected.

The proposed monument is a biological treasure. A crucial part of the fragile coastal ecosystem, the islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles off the California coast are part of the nearshore ocean zone that begins just off shore and ends at the boundary between the continental shelf and the continental slope. The proposed monument contains many geologic formations that provide unique habitat for biota, such as sensitive feeding and nesting habitat for an estimated 200,000 breeding seabirds, including gulls, the endangered California least tern, and the brown pelican. Development of the mainland has forced seabirds that once fed and nested in the shoreline ecosystem to retreat to the proposed monument. There is also forage and breeding habitat for several mammal species such as the threatened southern sea otter. Future economic or commercial development as well as some recreational use threaten the objects of the proposed monument.

The federal lands in the area are currently under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Department of the Interior. After a monument designation, management would continue under the BLM’s existing authorities for the predominant purpose of protecting the objects for which the monument was created. Currently California State Department of Fish and Game manages the area under a Memorandum of Understanding with the BLM. This arrangement could continue (with any necessary revisions to the MOU) following the establishment of the proposed monument. The proposed monument would not enlarge or diminish state or federal regulatory authority over fishing, oil and gas development, or other uses of adjacent waters.

Proposals to protect the California coastline have generally been met with wide acceptance. In June 1999, Congressman Sam Farr of Monterey, California, introduced, for the second time, a bill (H.R. 2277) to designate these islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles off the coast of California as wilderness. No hearings have been held on this bill. In September 1999, Secretary Babbitt, accompanied by Congressman Farr as well as state and community leaders, visited the coastline to discuss protection for the rocks and islands including possible designation as a national monument.

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The proposed monument is located in central Arizona approximately forty miles north of central Phoenix. The 71,100 acres of federal land comprise two mesas: Perry Mesa and the adjacent, smaller Black Mesa -- the public land to the north of these mesas, and the canyon of the Agua Fria River. Elevations range from 600 feet above sea level along the Agua Fria Canyon to about 4,300 feet in the northern hills.

The proposed monument contains one of the most significant systems of late prehistoric sites in the American Southwest. Its ancient ruins offer insights into the lives of those who long ago inhabited this part of the desert southwest. At least 450 prehistoric sites are known to exist within the proposed monument, and there are likely many more. Many intact petroglyph sites within the proposed monument contain rock art symbols pecked into the surfaces of boulders and cliff faces. The area also holds an extraordinary record of prehistoric agricultural features, including extensive terraces bounded by lines of rocks and other types of landscape modifications. In addition to its rich record of human history, the proposed monument contains other objects of scientific interest: a diversity of vegetative communities, a wide array of sensitive wildlife species, and native fish. The area, vital open space on the northern edge of the rapidly expanding Phoenix urban area, has already suffered from extensive vandalism.

The proposed monument would continue to be managed by the Bureau of Land Management for the predominant purpose of protecting the objects for which the monument was created. Currently permitted livestock grazing, hunting, fishing, and similar activities would generally not be affected, nor would private property within the boundary (1,440 acres) or other valid existing rights such as water rights.

Secretary Babbitt initiated a process in July 1999 to solicit public input and advice about the future management and protection of the Agua Fria region, meeting with leading archeologists, Arizona State officials, and staff from the Arizona delegation. Three public open houses were held in nearby communities in September 1999 specifically to discuss the area’s possible designation as a national monument.

In October 1999, the Bureau of Land Management forwarded to the Secretary a report of the meeting discussions and an assessment of future management.

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Only 65 miles from San Jose, California, Pinnacles National Monument is about halfway between Hollister and King City, California.

Pinnacles National Monument was created by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 to protect Pinnacle Rocks and the series of caves underlying them, both of scientific interest. Two primary drainage channels cut water gaps through these rocks which were roofed over as large rocks spilled off the adjacent cliffs, slid down the slopes, and became wedged in the tops of gaps to form the talus caves of the monument.

The proposed boundary enlargement is vital to the continued preservation of Pinnacles National Monument’s resources. In addition to containing pieces of the same faults that have created the tremendous geological formations throughout the monument, the expansion lands hold some of the headwaters of the monument basin. Over millions of years, flash floods and currents of streams have helped to sculpt the geological features of the monument. The expansion lands also hold important habitat for raptors (such as prairie falcons, golden eagles, and red-tailed hawks), amphibians, and reptiles. The area is threatened by exurban development and by watershed degradation.

The 7,960 acres of adjacent public lands would be transferred from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service and managed under the same laws and regulations that apply to the rest of the monument. Wilderness Study Areas in the expansion lands would continue to be managed in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Although 2,850 acres of private land are inside the expansion boundary, the private land owners will be unaffected by the designation unless they choose to sell, in which case the lands would become part of the monument.

Pinnacles was originally designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908,consisting of 2,060 acres, and was expanded five times by subsequent Presidents and once by Congress. This proposed expansion -- discussed at length in local communities in recent years--would bring important pieces of adjacent public land into Pinnacles National Monument. An expansion, along with wilderness designation, has on two occasions been proposed by Congressman Sam Farr of Monterey, California. No committee hearings have been held on his bill (H.R. 2279). Secretary Babbitt visited Pinnacles National Monument and the adjacent public lands in October 1999 to discuss the expansion proposal with private ranchers and other landowners, and community and environmental leaders.

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