Establishment of the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument

President Clinton used the Antiquities Act to establish the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, protecting approximately 12,708 marine acres off St. John. The proclamation withdraws federal lands from commercial use, bans boat anchoring and extractive activities (with limited fishing exceptions), and directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the monument through the National Park Service with a management plan due within 3 years.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 7364

Impact dates

Jan 17, 2004
Secretary of the Interior must prepare management plan including vessel management

Key directives

Establish Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument on ~12,708 marine acres
Withdraw federal lands from all forms of entry, location, sale, leasing, mining, and mineral/geothermal leasing
Prohibit all boat anchoring except emergency or authorized administrative purposes
Prohibit all extractive uses
Permit bait fishing at Hurricane Hole and blue runner line fishing south of St. John if consistent with protection purposes
Manage monument through National Park Service
Prepare management plan within 3 years including vessel management

Who is ordered

Secretary of the Interior · Department of the Interior

Timeline

Immediate

Monument lands withdrawn from entry, sale, leasing, and mining
Boat anchoring prohibited except for emergencies/administration
Extractive uses prohibited (with limited exceptions)

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Management plan due within 3 years addressing vessel management and further protective actions

Risks & tensions

Limited fishing exceptions may create enforcement challenges and conflicts with conservation goals
Dominant reservation language may create tension with valid existing rights holders
International law compliance requirement adds complexity to management