Establishment of the San Juan Islands National Monument

President Obama established the San Juan Islands National Monument under the Antiquities Act, withdrawing approximately 970 acres of BLM-administered federal lands in Washington State's Puget Sound from development, mining, and mineral leasing. The proclamation mandates BLM management through the National Landscape Conservation System, requires a management plan and advisory committee, restricts motorized vehicle use to designated roads, and protects tribal cultural and religious sites.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 18789

Key directives

Secretary shall manage monument through BLM as unit of National Landscape Conservation System
Secretary shall prepare and maintain management plan for monument
Secretary shall establish advisory committee under Federal Advisory Committee Act
Motorized vehicle use permitted only on designated roads (except emergency, law enforcement, administrative purposes)
Non-motorized mechanized vehicle use permitted only on designated roads and trails
Secretary shall consult with Indian tribes to protect religious and cultural sites and provide access for traditional uses
Secretary may acquire non-federal lands within monument boundaries for inclusion

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

National Monument establishment effective upon proclamation
Federal lands withdrawn from entry, location, sale, leasing, mining, and mineral/geothermal leasing
Restrictions on motorized and non-motorized mechanized vehicle use take effect

Near term (90d)

Secretary to establish advisory committee under Federal Advisory Committee Act
BLM to begin management plan preparation

Long term

Management plan completion and implementation
Potential acquisition of non-federal lands for inclusion in monument
Ongoing protection and restoration of scientific and historic objects

Risks & tensions

Potential tension between conservation restrictions and existing recreational or commercial uses
Tribal consultation requirements may create implementation complexity
Vague timeline for management plan completion creates uncertainty
Dominant reservation clause may conflict with prior withdrawals or reservations