Establishment of the Basin and Range National Monument, 41967-41974 [2015-17549]

Agencies

• Executive Office of the President

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 41967-41974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17549]



[[Page 41967]]

Vol. 80

Wednesday,

No. 135

July 15, 2015

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 9297--Establishment of the Basin and Range National 
Monument



Proclamation 9298--Establishment of the Berryessa Snow Mountain 
National Monument



Proclamation 9299--Establishment of the Waco Mammoth National Monument


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 135 / Wednesday, July 15, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 41969]]

                Proclamation 9297 of July 10, 2015

                
Establishment of the Basin and Range National 
                Monument

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The Basin and Range area of southeastern Nevada is an 
                iconic American landscape. The area is one of the most 
                undisturbed corners of the broader Great Basin region, 
                which extends from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the 
                west to the Colorado Plateau in the east. The pattern 
                of basin, fault, and range that characterizes this 
                region creates a dramatic topography that has inspired 
                inhabitants for thousands of years. The vast, rugged 
                landscape redefines our notions of distance and space 
                and brings into sharp focus the will and resolve of the 
                people who have lived here. The unbroken expanse is an 
                invaluable treasure for our Nation and will continue to 
                serve as an irreplaceable resource for archaeologists, 
                historians, and ecologists for generations to come.

                Over both geologic and historical time, the Basin and 
                Range area has been a landscape in motion. The area 
                exemplifies the unique topography and geologic history 
                of the Great Basin region and has long been the subject 
                of studies of the tectonic and volcanic mechanisms 
                responsible for this landscape, including crustal 
                extension, deformation, and rifting. The thrust and 
                fault block formations found here, along with the 
                area's stratigraphy, have been instrumental in 
                understanding the nearly 500 million-year history of 
                the region. Among the geologic features found in the 
                Basin and Range area are natural arches, caves, and 
                sheer cliffs that offer stunning vistas. Evidence of 
                the Alamo bolide impact, a high-velocity impact from 
                space about 367 million years ago, can also be found 
                here.

                Volcanism and magmatism in this area during the 
                Tertiary period contributed to the formation of 
                numerous mountain ranges that interrupt the area's 
                basins. The Golden Gate Range runs north-south through 
                the center of the Basin and Range area, separating 
                Garden Valley in the west from Coal Valley in the east. 
                The range's block-faulted mountains are split by 
                alluvial gaps carved by water from the valleys' now-dry 
                lake beds. The Mount Irish Range in the southern 
                portion of the area is topped by the steep and rugged 
                8,743-foot Mount Irish. The Worthington Mountains in 
                the southwest corner of the Basin and Range area are 
                composed of sheer limestone ridges reaching an 
                elevation of 8,850 feet. These mountains were formed by 
                thrust faults and contain at least three known caves, 
                including the Leviathan Cave, which features 
                stalactites, stalagmites, flow stones, soda straws, a 
                cave shield, and rim pools. Data collected from these 
                cave formations has contributed to research of the 
                area's prehistoric climate.

                The Basin and Range area spans the transition between 
                the Mojave Desert and the sagebrush steppe of the Great 
                Basin region. The area is one of the largest 
                ecologically intact landscapes in the Great Basin 
                region, providing habitat connectivity and migration 
                corridors for a wide variety of animal species and 
                affording researchers the ability to conduct studies 
                over broad scales. At lower elevations, alluvial fans 
                provide a home for sagebrush communities and mixed 
                desert scrublands, where visitors can see big 
                sagebrush, black sagebrush, little sagebrush, yellow 
                rabbitbrush, saltbush, and mormon tea. Among the 
                herbaceous species here are Indian ricegrass, Sandberg 
                bluegrass, needlegrass, and needle and thread. Pockets 
                of native

[[Page 41970]]

                grasslands can be found in Coal Valley, and the Basin 
                and Range area is home to the endemic White River 
                catseye. A more arid ecosystem can also be found in 
                some of the lowest elevations, where cholla, spinystar, 
                Engelmann's hedgehog cactus, Mojave kingcup cactus, 
                tulip pricklypear, grizzlybear pricklypear, Blaine 
                fishhook cactus, and other cactus species dominate. At 
                middle elevations, sagebrush gives way to singleleaf 
                pinyon, Utah juniper, curl-leaf mountain mahogany, 
                quaking aspen, and other conifers, along with Idaho 
                fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. At higher elevations, 
                ponderosa and limber pines become more common. 
                Bristlecone pines over 2,000 years old stand sentinel 
                in the high peaks of the Worthington Mountains.

                The area provides important habitat for game species 
                including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, Rocky 
                Mountain elk, and pronghorn. Other mammal species, 
                including mountain lion, bobcat, kit fox, cottontail 
                rabbit, pygmy rabbit, black-tailed jackrabbit, pale 
                kangaroo mouse, and dark kangaroo mouse, also make 
                their homes here. Many bat species reside in the Basin 
                and Range area's caves and use its lowlands for 
                foraging. The area provides habitat for lizards such as 
                the greater short-horned lizard, desert spiny lizard, 
                yellow-backed spiny lizard, Great Basin collared 
                lizard, common zebra-tailed lizard, long-nosed leopard 
                lizard, Great Basin fence lizard, northern sagebrush 
                lizard, common side-blotched lizard, desert horned 
                lizard, Great Basin skink, and Great Basin whiptail, 
                and likely habitat for gila monsters. Snakes including 
                the desert nightsnake, Great Basin rattlesnake, long-
                nosed snake, Sonoran mountain kingsnake, striped 
                whipsnake, ringneck snake, gopher snake, and western 
                terrestrial garter snake also make their home in this 
                area. Great Basin spadefoot toads, western toads, and 
                Baja California treefrogs can also be found in the 
                area.

                A number of bird species grace the landscape. These 
                include game species such as the chukar, Gambel's 
                quail, and a variety of dove and pigeon species. The 
                dry basins provide habitat for sage thrasher, Brewer's 
                sparrow, and western burrowing owl. Numerous bird 
                species inhabit the Worthington Mountains, including 
                pinyon jay, Clark's nutcracker, mountain bluebird, 
                loggerhead shrike, and green-tailed towhee, along with 
                raptors including golden eagles, Cooper's hawks, and 
                ferruginous hawks.

                The land tells the story of a rich cultural tradition. 
                From the earliest human inhabitants 13,000 years ago, 
                to miners and ranchers in the past century and a half, 
                to a modern artist in recent decades, the area's 
                residents have created and maintain notable legacies. 
                The earliest Paleo-Indian inhabitants of the Basin and 
                Range area exploited food sources along the shores of 
                now-dry lakes. These nomadic people left important 
                traces of their presence, including a rare obsidian 
                Clovis point in the Coal Valley Water Gap and a 
                succession of significant campsites and artifacts 
                around the prehistoric Coal Valley Lake.

                Starting about 8,000 years ago, a drier, warmer climate 
                forced inhabitants to move beyond the lake beds to take 
                advantage of the rock shelters, caves, and springs that 
                dot the landscape. These people, from the Desert 
                Archaic to the Fremont people about 1,500 years ago, to 
                ancestors of the Western Shoshone and Southern Paiute 
                Tribes about 1,000 years ago, used the land in 
                accordance with seasonal changes in foraging and 
                hunting resources. Similar to their Paleo-Indian 
                predecessors, these cultural groups lacked intensive 
                settlements in this area but left a rich archaeological 
                record, including the excavated Civa Shelter II in the 
                Golden Gate Range. Occupied first by the Fremont people 
                about 1,400 years ago, the cave was later 
                intermittently used by the Shoshone, who left a diverse 
                set of artifacts, including worked bone, shell beads, 
                seed processing equipment, animal remains, clay 
                stockpiles, and over 100 projectile points, suggesting 
                pronounced and extended use for hunting, gathering, and 
                pottery making.

                In the south and southeastern reaches of the Basin and 
                Range area, early humans' stories are told at numerous 
                petroglyph sites, including rock art in the White River 
                Narrows Historic District, Mount Irish Archaeological

[[Page 41971]]

                Area, and the Shooting Gallery rock art site. Listed in 
                the National Register of Historic Places, the White 
                River Narrows Archaeological District represents one of 
                the largest concentrations of prehistoric rock art in 
                eastern Nevada and includes panels dating back 4,000 
                years and contains the northernmost known examples of 
                the Pahranagat style of rock art. Both the Mount Irish 
                Archaeological Site and the Shooting Gallery area are 
                well known for bighorn sheep motifs, among other styles 
                of rock art. Additionally, the rock features of the 
                Shooting Gallery area may have been used by early 
                inhabitants as hunting blinds. Much of the Basin and 
                Range area has not been comprehensively studied for 
                archaeological resources, though recent surveys suggest 
                that additional resources may be found across the area. 
                Protection of the area will therefore provide important 
                opportunities for archaeologists and historians to 
                further study and understand the evolving relationship 
                between this unique landscape and its human 
                inhabitants.

                The Basin and Range area was mostly unknown to 
                European-Americans until the 1820s, when explorers and 
                fur trappers first visited, including Jedediah Smith, 
                part-owner of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and 
                arguably the most famous of the ``Mountain Men.'' 
                Mormon settlers came to the area in the mid-19th 
                century. About the same time, the explorer, politician, 
                and military officer John C. Fr[eacute]mont traversed 
                this area while surveying for a transcontinental 
                railroad. Mining began in the area in the 1860s when, 
                reportedly, Native Americans escorted prospectors out 
                to ore veins in outcroppings in the north end of the 
                Worthington Mountains. Here the miners established what 
                was originally called the Worthington Mining District, 
                and subsequently renamed the Freiberg Mining District. 
                The silver, lead, zinc, copper, and tungsten deposits 
                found there supported modest historical production. 
                Head frames, mining cabins, and other structures 
                associated with the region's mining history can be 
                found in the Mount Irish area. Explorer and 
                conservationist John Muir reported that he holed up in 
                a canyon in the Golden Gate Range for a week in 1878. 
                During the late 19th century, Basque and other ranchers 
                brought sheep and cattle ranching into Garden Valley, 
                and ranching remains to this day.

                The location of a recent work of land art in the Basin 
                and Range area reflects the rugged landscape and 
                confirms its importance as a unique geologic area. The 
                artist Michael Heizer chose the area for his work City, 
                begun in 1972 and now nearing completion. Sitting on 
                privately-held land in Garden Valley, City is one of 
                the most ambitious examples of the distinctively 
                American land art movement. Built into and out of the 
                vast undeveloped expanse of Garden Valley, the work 
                combines modern abstract architecture and engineering 
                with ancient American aesthetic influences on a 
                monumental scale, roughly the size of the National 
                Mall, and evokes the architectural forms of ancient 
                Mesoamerican ceremonial cities like Teotihuac[aacute]n 
                and Chich[eacute]n Itz[aacute]. The presence of City in 
                this stark and silent landscape provides the visitor a 
                distinctive lens through which to experience and 
                interact with Garden Valley.

                The protection of the Basin and Range area will 
                preserve its cultural, prehistoric, and historic legacy 
                and maintain its diverse array of natural and 
                scientific resources, ensuring that the prehistoric, 
                historic, and scientific values of this area remain for 
                the benefit of all Americans.

                WHEREAS, section 320301 of title 54, United States Code 
                (known as the ``Antiquities Act''), authorizes the 
                President, in his discretion, to declare by public 
                proclamation historic landmarks, historic and 
                prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic 
                or scientific interest that are situated upon the lands 
                owned or controlled by the Federal Government to be 
                national monuments, and to reserve as a part thereof 
                parcels of land, the limits of which in all cases shall 
                be confined to the smallest area compatible with the 
                proper care and management of the objects to be 
                protected;

                WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to preserve the 
                objects of scientific and historic interest on the 
                Basin and Range lands;

[[Page 41972]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by the authority vested in me 
                by section 320301 of title 54, United States Code, 
                hereby proclaim the objects identified above that are 
                situated upon lands and interests in lands owned or 
                controlled by the Federal Government to be the Basin 
                and Range National Monument (monument) and, for the 
                purpose of protecting those objects, reserve as part 
                thereof all lands and interests in lands owned or 
                controlled by the Federal Government within the 
                boundaries described on the accompanying map, which is 
                attached to and forms a part of this proclamation. 
                These reserved Federal lands and interests in lands 
                encompass approximately 704,000 acres. The boundaries 
                described on the accompanying map are confined to the 
                smallest area compatible with the proper care and 
                management of the objects to be protected.

                All Federal lands and interests in lands within the 
                boundaries of the monument are hereby appropriated and 
                withdrawn from all forms of entry, location, selection, 
                sale, or other disposition under the public land laws, 
                from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, 
                and from disposition under all laws relating to mineral 
                and geothermal leasing, other than by exchange that 
                furthers the protective purposes of the monument.

                The establishment of the monument is subject to valid 
                existing rights. If the Federal Government acquires any 
                lands or interests in lands not owned or controlled by 
                the Federal Government within the boundaries described 
                on the accompanying map, such lands and interests in 
                lands shall be reserved as a part of the monument, and 
                objects identified above that are situated upon those 
                lands and interests in lands shall be part of the 
                monument, upon acquisition of ownership or control by 
                the Federal Government.

                The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) shall manage 
                the monument through the Bureau of Land Management 
                (BLM) as a unit of the National Landscape Conservation 
                System, pursuant to applicable legal authorities to 
                protect the objects identified above.

                For purposes of the care and management of the objects 
                identified above, the Secretary, through BLM, shall 
                within 3 years of the date of this proclamation prepare 
                and maintain a management plan for the monument and 
                shall provide for maximum public involvement in the 
                development of that plan including, but not limited to, 
                consultation with State, tribal, and local governments.

                Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to limit 
                the authority of the Secretary, under applicable law 
                other than this proclamation, to undertake or authorize 
                activities on public land in the vicinity of the 
                sculpture City for the purpose of preventing harm to 
                the artwork, including activities to improve drainage 
                and to prevent erosion, consistent with the care and 
                management of the objects identified above. The 
                management plan for the monument shall provide for 
                reasonable use of existing roads within the monument to 
                facilitate public access to City.

                Except for emergency or authorized administrative 
                purposes, motorized vehicle use in the monument shall 
                be permitted only on roads existing as of the date of 
                this proclamation. Non-motorized mechanized vehicle use 
                shall be permitted only on roads and trails designated 
                for their use consistent with the care and management 
                of the objects identified above. The Secretary shall 
                prepare a transportation plan that designates the roads 
                and trails where motorized or non-motorized mechanized 
                vehicle use will be permitted.

                Except as necessary for the care and management of the 
                objects identified above or for the purpose of 
                permitted livestock grazing, no new rights-of-way for 
                electric transmission or transportation shall be 
                authorized within the monument. Other rights-of-way may 
                be authorized only if consistent with the care and 
                management of the objects identified above.

                Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to enlarge 
                or diminish the rights of any Indian tribe. The 
                Secretary shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law 
                and in consultation with Indian tribes, ensure the 
                protection

[[Page 41973]]

                of Indian sacred sites and cultural sites in the 
                monument and provide access to the sites by members of 
                Indian tribes for traditional cultural and customary 
                uses, consistent with the American Indian Religious 
                Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. 1996) and Executive Order 13007 
                of May 24, 1996 (Indian Sacred Sites).

                Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to affect 
                authorizations for livestock grazing, or administration 
                thereof, on Federal lands within the monument. 
                Livestock grazing within the monument shall continue to 
                be governed by laws and regulations other than this 
                proclamation.

                This proclamation does not alter or affect the valid 
                existing water rights of any party, including the 
                United States. This proclamation does not reserve water 
                as a matter of Federal law.

                Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to enlarge 
                or diminish the jurisdiction of the State of Nevada, 
                including its jurisdiction and authority with respect 
                to fish and wildlife management.

                Nothing in this proclamation shall preclude low-level 
                overflights of military aircraft, the designation of 
                new units of special use airspace, or the use or 
                establishment of military flight training routes over 
                the lands reserved by this proclamation. Nothing in 
                this proclamation shall preclude air or ground access 
                for: (i) emergency response; (ii) existing or new 
                electronic tracking and communications; (iii) landing 
                and drop zones; and (iv) readiness training by Air 
                Force, Joint, and Coalition forces, including training 
                using motorized vehicles both on- and off-road, in 
                accordance with applicable interagency agreements. 
                Nothing in this proclamation shall preclude the 
                Secretary of Defense from entering into new or renewed 
                agreements with the Secretary of the Interior 
                concerning these uses, consistent with the care and 
                management of the objects to be protected.

                Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to revoke 
                any existing withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation; 
                however, the monument shall be the dominant 
                reservation.

                Warning is hereby given to all unauthorized persons not 
                to appropriate, injure, destroy, or remove any feature 
                of the monument and not to locate or settle upon any of 
                the lands thereof.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
                fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States 
                of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

Billing code 3295-F5-P



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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TD15JY15.001


[FR Doc. 2015-17549
Filed 7-14-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 4310-10-C