ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 7317ProclamationClinton · D Quiet signal

Proclamation 7317

Establishment of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

President Clinton established the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, reserving approximately 164,000 acres of federal land in Colorado to protect archaeological sites and cultural resources. The proclamation withdraws lands from public entry and mineral disposition, restricts off-road motorized vehicles, allows continued oil and gas development under managed conditions, and directs the Secretary of the Interior to prepare a transportation plan and manage the monument through the Bureau of Land Management.

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 37243

Impact dates

  1. Transportation plan addressing road closures and travel restrictions

Key directives

  • Reserve approximately 164,000 acres as Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
  • Withdraw federal lands from all forms of entry, location, selection, sale, or disposition under public land laws
  • Prohibit all motorized and mechanized vehicle use off road except for emergency or authorized administrative purposes
  • Secretary of Interior shall manage development of existing oil and gas leases to avoid new impacts on protected objects
  • Secretary may issue new oil and gas leases only for conservation of common reservoir production or drainage protection
  • Secretary of Interior shall prepare a transportation plan with road closures or travel restrictions
  • Secretary of Interior shall manage monument through Bureau of Land Management

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Monument establishment effective upon proclamation
  • Lands withdrawn from entry, location, sale, and disposition
  • Off-road motorized/mechanized vehicle use prohibited

Near term (90d)

  • Secretary of Interior to prepare transportation plan addressing road closures and travel restrictions

Long term

  • Ongoing BLM management of monument
  • Continued oil and gas leasing under restricted conditions
  • Potential land acquisition for non-federal inholdings

Risks & tensions

  • Oil and gas development allowed to continue under 'valid existing rights' creates tension with monument protection goals
  • Vague standard for 'new impacts that interfere with proper care and management' leaves enforcement discretion to Secretary
  • Continued grazing under existing BLM policies may conflict with archaeological preservation
  • No explicit deadline for transportation plan creates implementation uncertainty
Proclamation 7317: Establishment of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument · Executive Orders