Establishment of the Basin and Range National Monument

President Obama established the Basin and Range National Monument in southeastern Nevada, withdrawing approximately 704,000 acres of federal land from mining, mineral leasing, and other disposition under public land laws. The proclamation directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the monument through BLM and prepare a management plan within 3 years with public involvement, while preserving existing rights including livestock grazing, water rights, tribal access to sacred sites, and military training uses.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 41969

Impact dates

Jul 9, 2018
Management plan for monument due

Key directives

Establish Basin and Range National Monument on approximately 704,000 acres
Withdraw lands from entry, location, selection, sale, mining laws, and mineral/geothermal leasing
Secretary of Interior to manage through BLM as National Landscape Conservation System unit
Prepare management plan within 3 years with maximum public involvement and tribal/state/local consultation
Permit motorized vehicles only on existing roads as of proclamation date
Prepare transportation plan designating permitted roads and trails
Restrict new rights-of-way for electric transmission or transportation
Protect Indian sacred sites and provide tribal access per EO 13007
Continue livestock grazing under existing laws and regulations
Preserve valid existing water rights
Allow military overflights, special use airspace, and training routes
Permit Secretary of Defense to enter agreements with Interior for military uses

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Monument establishment takes effect
Federal lands withdrawn from entry, location, sale, mining laws, and mineral/geothermal leasing
BLM assumes management responsibility
Existing motorized vehicle use restricted to current roads

Near term (90d)

BLM begins management plan development process
Public involvement and consultation with state/tribal/local governments begins

Long term

Management plan due by July 10, 2018
Transportation plan to designate permitted roads/trails
Ongoing protection of archaeological, ecological, and cultural resources

Risks & tensions

Potential conflict between conservation goals and existing mining/mineral interests
Tribal consultation requirements may create implementation complexity
Military training exemptions could create tension with environmental protection objectives
Livestock grazing continuation may conflict with ecological preservation
Access to City land art on private land within monument boundaries creates mixed jurisdiction issues