National Natural Landmarks Program

 

To identify and recognize nationally significant natural areas throughout the United States of America and to encourage their continued preservation.

Deleted 08/20/2009 (Archived.) 15.910 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Provision of Specialized Services; Dissemination of Technical Information. With the exception of geological studies for the Brooks Range and Southern Blue Ridge Natural Regions, the National Park Service has conducted inventories in all natural regions. As of January 2000, the Secretary of the Interior has designated 587 national natural landmarks. Historic Sites Act of 1935, Public Law 74-292, 16 U.S.C. 461; General Authorities Act of 1970, Public Law 94-458, 16 U.S.C. 1a-5; Mining in National Parks Act of 1976, Public Law 94-429, 16 U.S.C. 1908. Anyone may suggest a natural area for possible inclusion on the National Registry of Natural Landmarks. Anyone may suggest a natural area for possible inclusion on the National Registry of Natural Landmarks. Land ownership is not a criterion. However, landowners or administrators are notified and involved in considering sites for possible designation. Landowners must agree to site designation. None. None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Contact a regional office or the Washington office of the National Park Service to suggest a site which should be considered for possible natural landmark designation. The National Park Service has conducted natural region studies to identify potential natural landmarks. In addition, sites may be suggested by any individual or organization as described above. If a decision is made to make an evaluation of a potential National Natural Landmark site owners are contacted prior to beginning an evaluation. No site visits are made without the permission of owners except when the land is publicly owned. Evaluations are made by qualified scientists. If the Director of the National Park Service determines an area meets the criteria for national significance, owners are notified for a second time, provided with a copy of the evaluation, and the opportunity to comment. National Park Service will review all documentation including, but not limited to, evaluation reports, peer reviews, and received comments. If some but not all of the property owners within a potential National Natural Landmark object to designation, the National Park Service will exclude the objecting properties and proceed with the process only if enough area remains of non-objecting properties to allow sufficient representation of the significant natural features. The Secretary of the Interior reviews the materials that the Director of the National Park Service submits and makes a decision on national natural landmark designation. If the Secretary designates an area, a third notification is made to landowners. Owners of designated sites are eligible to receive a plaque or certificate recognizing their voluntary commitment to preserve the landmark's nationally significant features. None. Depends on status of information on area, and availability of staff and funds. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Information on national natural landmarks is made available to Federal agencies, State and local governments, private organizations, and individuals on request to assist in planning and decision making. No financial assistance accompanies designation of an area as a natural landmark. NPS may withhold certain information on specific landmarks because of the fragility of the resources or to protect private landowner's privacy. The National Park Service maintains periodic contacts with the owners of designated natural landmarks to determine whether the landmarks retain the values that qualified them for landmark designation. The Service prepared an annual report for the Secretary of the Interior to submit to the Congress but this mandate ended in 1999. This report is now titled Damaged and Threatened National Landmarks. It identifies those designated natural landmarks that exhibit known or anticipated damage or threats to the integrity of their nationally significant resources. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. See Catalog Address Appendix IV. Natural Landmarks Program, Natural Systems Management Office (2320), National Park Service, Washington, DC 20013- 7127. Telephone: (202) 219-8934. Use same number for FTS. http://www.family.info.govcfdaindex.htm 14-1042-0-1-303. (Salaries and expenses) FY 02 $992,000; FY 03 est $993,000; and FY 04 est not available. Not applicable. Final Rule for administering the National Natural Landmarks Program was published on May 12, 1999 (36 CFR Part 62). The procedures include the criteria for listing areas on the National Registry of Natural Landmarks and call for extensive public notice and review in the landmark evaluation process. A listing of designated natural landmarks is available from the National Park Service. Not applicable.