Establishment of the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

President Obama established the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Wilberforce, Ohio, using the Antiquities Act to protect 59.65 acres including Colonel Charles Young's home ('Youngsholm'). The proclamation directs the National Park Service to manage the site and prepare a management plan within 3 years to preserve historic objects, commemorate Young's life, and interpret the Buffalo Soldiers' legacy.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 18777

Impact dates

Mar 24, 2016
Management plan due

Key directives

Establish Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument on 59.65 acres
Withdraw federal lands from entry, location, selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under public land and mining laws
Secretary of Interior shall manage monument through National Park Service
Secretary shall prepare management plan within 3 years with full public involvement
Management plan must preserve objects, commemorate Young, and interpret Buffalo Soldiers
NPS shall enter agreements with Central State University, Wilberforce University, Omega Psi Phi, Ohio Historical Society for interpretation and education
NPS shall coordinate with Golden Gate NRA, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks on historical ties
NPS shall use authorities to enter agreements for interpretation at additional Buffalo Soldiers-associated sites

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Monument establishment and federal land withdrawal from entry/disposition
National Park Service assumes management

Near term (90d)

Initial management transition and coordination with partner organizations

Long term

Management plan due by March 25, 2016
Ongoing interpretation and education partnerships
Coordination with other national parks (Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Golden Gate NRA)

Risks & tensions

Monument subject to 'valid existing rights' creating potential land-use conflicts
Dependent on future acquisition of non-federal lands within boundaries
3-year planning timeline requires sustained interagency and community coordination
Multiple partner organizations (universities, fraternities, historical societies) may create coordination complexity