Chimney Rock National Monument Act of 2010
The Chimney Rock National Monument Act of 2010 (H.R. 5223) was introduced on May 4, 2010, and was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The Chimney Rock National Monument Act of 2010 (S. 3303) was introduced on May 4, 2010, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsors
- H.R. 5223: Representative John T. Salazar (D-CO)
- S. 3303: Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Our Position
The National Trust for Historic Preservation led the effort to seek national monument designation for the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area, and is delighted that Representative Salazar and Senator Bennet have agreed that Chimney Rock is arguably the most important cultural site managed by the U.S. Forest Service, yet it has no designation equal to its cultural significance.
Consequently, Chimney Rock suffers from many of the problems that plague the Forest Service's Heritage Program, including the lack of a clear cultural resource preservation mandate and inadequate funding. Additionally, neither the Forest Service Organic Act nor the National Forest Management Act require the Forest Service to inventory, plan for, or otherwise protect cultural resources under its care, including significant sites like Chimney Rock.
A national monument designation would be a win-win for this nationally important cultural site, the community, tribes, and the public. Such a designation would attract public attention and increase heritage tourism to Archuleta County and the Four Corners area. Historically, national monument designations also have brought increased federal funding and resources, thereby providing for higher quality visitor facilities, more interpretation, better public education, and improved site stabilization. Finally, the designation would provide the Forest Service with a clear mandate to identify and protect Chimney Rock's archaeological and cultural values.
The identical House and Senate bills would establish Chimney Rock National Monument in San Juan National Forest in Colorado to preserve, protect, and restore the archeological, anthropological, geologic, hydrologic, biological, visual, and scenic resources of Chimney Rock, as well as enable the public to fully realize the scientific, cultural, educational, recreational, visual, and scenic value of those resources. The national monument would remain a unit in San Juan National Forest. It would not interfere with any private property rights and will continue to allow tribes access for traditional and cultural purposes. The bills would require the development of management plan within three years of the enactment, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall designate an individual as manager of the national monument after the development of the management plan.
The National Trust is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of cultural and historic resources on federal public lands. We are focused on ensuring that federal land management agencies recognize and achieve their stewardship responsibilities for cultural and historic resources.
Comments
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Submitted by ConnieLeC at: August 8, 2010
We just visited (August 8,2010), and think that national designation would help to protect the amazing resource that this site is, especially as that designation would support the excellent work currently being done by the local organization. I would hate to see responsible excavation of the archaeological site curtailed or tied up in unnecessary red-tape, however, as an increase in visits to the area might adversely impact the somewhat precarious stability of the physical remains of the architecture and environment (as the impacts of more numerous tourists to Mesa Verde have caused).
Submitted by riverrat at: July 22, 2010
I looked at this because I was formerly in charge of Chimney Rock a Nebraska State owned landmark on the the overland trails in western Nebraska. This Landmark has been the property of the Nebraska State Historical Society. I think there will be some confusion over the proposed name.
Submitted by cherie at: July 22, 2010
This is important!! Protect our resources...
Submitted by kanshohtrees at: May 18, 2010
Awareness and tourism should be increased in areas not made of plastic and/or owned by Disney.