Establishment of the Sand to Snow National Monument

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 2016)]

[Presidential Documents]

[Pages 8379-8385]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 2016-03548]

Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 32 / Thursday, February 18, 2016 /

Presidential Documents

[[Page 8379]]

Proclamation 9396 of February 12, 2016

Establishment of the Sand to Snow National

Monument

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The Sand to Snow area of southern California is an

ecological and cultural treasure, a microcosm of the

great geographic diversity of the region. Rising from

the floor of the Sonoran Desert to the tallest peak in

southern California, the area features a remarkable

diversity of plant and animal species. The area

includes a portion of the San Bernardino National

Forest and connects this area with Joshua Tree National

Park to the east, knitting together a mosaic of

spectacular landscapes stretching over 200 miles. The

mountain peaks of the Sand to Snow area frame the

northeastern reach of Coachella Valley along with the

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

to the south. Home to desert oases at Big Morongo

Canyon and Whitewater Canyon, the area serves as a

refuge for desert dwelling animals and a stopover for

migrating birds. The archaeological riches of the Black

Lava Buttes and the historical remains of mining and

ranching communities tell of past prosperity and

struggle in this arid land

Morongo

Canyon and Whitewater Canyon, the area serves as a

refuge for desert dwelling animals and a stopover for

migrating birds. The archaeological riches of the Black

Lava Buttes and the historical remains of mining and

ranching communities tell of past prosperity and

struggle in this arid land. The unbroken expanse is an

invaluable treasure for our Nation and will continue to

serve as an irreplaceable resource for archaeologists,

geologists, and biologists for generations to come.

The Sand to Snow area encompasses a rich diversity of

geological and ecological resources, including a nearly

10,000-foot elevation gradient from the Sonoran Desert

floor to the top of the 11,500-foot San Gorgonio

Mountain, the highest mountain in southern California.

From the flat desert lowlands, the mountains thrust

upward in stark relief, creating indelible beauty along

with a unique diversity of resources and a rich history

of human habitation and movement. Along this remarkable

topographic gradient lies an unusually wide range of

ecosystems, ranging from lowland Mojave and Colorado

deserts to scrub and woodlands and Mediterranean

chaparral to subalpine and alpine conifer forests. San

Gorgonio Mountain is one end of the longest recorded

line of sight in the lower 48 States, the other being

Mount Whitney, 190 miles away. In addition, the Henry

Washington Survey Marker, located on San Bernardino

Peak, serves as the starting point for surveying land

in southern California and is included on the National

Register of Historic Places.

line of sight in the lower 48 States, the other being

Mount Whitney, 190 miles away. In addition, the Henry

Washington Survey Marker, located on San Bernardino

Peak, serves as the starting point for surveying land

in southern California and is included on the National

Register of Historic Places.

San Gorgonio, so named after Saint Gorgonius by early

17th century Spanish missionaries, is just one name for

this remarkable, region-defining mountain. The Cahuilla

Indians call the mountain Kwiria-Kaich, which means

``bald'' or ``smooth,'' and consider it among the

sacred peaks of southern California. The Gabrielino

Indians from the Los Angeles Basin treat San Gorgonio

Mountain with reverence and refer to it as Akvangna.

The Luise[ntilde]o Indians consider San Gorgonio

Mountain sacred and the older brother of Mount San

Jacinto; both peaks were among the first born of Earth

Mother. The Luise[ntilde]o refer to San Gorgonio

Mountain as Pewipwi.

Thirty miles of the world famous Pacific Crest National

Scenic Trail run through the Sand to Snow area,

climbing 7,000 feet from the desert of Whitewater

Canyon to Mission Springs in the San Bernardino

National Forest. The history of this renowned trail

dates back to the 1920s when the idea of a border-to-

border trail was first conceptualized. Although the

[[Page 8380]]

enic Trail run through the Sand to Snow area,

climbing 7,000 feet from the desert of Whitewater

Canyon to Mission Springs in the San Bernardino

National Forest. The history of this renowned trail

dates back to the 1920s when the idea of a border-to-

border trail was first conceptualized. Although the

[[Page 8380]]

establishment of the trail took decades to fully

materialize, today the trail is a national icon,

highlighting the wilderness treasures of the American

West. Since its completion, over 3,000 people have

hiked the 2,600 miles of continuous trail along the

Pacific crest, including the Mission Creek Canyon

segment found within the Sand to Snow area.

The Sand to Snow area first took its current shape 175

million years ago with the subduction of the Pacific

Plate beneath the North American Plate. The San

Bernardino Mountain range in the western half of the

Sand to Snow area is unusual in California, a

transverse range as distinct from the north-south

mountain ranges found through most of California. This

difference in direction results from a change in the

San Andreas Fault, which shifts direction to the west

of the Sand to Snow area. This intersection of

mountains makes this area a critical bridge for

wildlife traversing the high elevations of southern

California's desert landscape.

ifornia. This

difference in direction results from a change in the

San Andreas Fault, which shifts direction to the west

of the Sand to Snow area. This intersection of

mountains makes this area a critical bridge for

wildlife traversing the high elevations of southern

California's desert landscape.

Two branches of the San Andreas Fault run through the

Sand to Snow area, and the faulting that created the

mountains and canyons throughout this landscape also

created the Morongo Valley. The Whitewater Canyon area

has been featured in numerous studies of the plate

tectonics and geologic rifting of southern California,

including studies that examine the impact of

earthquakes on fault stability. The San Bernardino

Mountains and Big Morongo Canyon contain ancient rocks

from the Proterozoic Eon, along with some of the oldest

exposed rocks in California, nearly 2 billion years

old. Granite, gneiss, and schist in these areas have

been used by geologists to better understand the

tectonic history of the region, and are a testament to

the area's important geologic past.

Covering a range of nearly 10,000 feet in elevation,

the Sand to Snow area includes an extraordinarily

diverse range of ecosystems from lowland deserts, fresh

water marshes, and Mojave riparian forests, to creosote

bush scrub ecosystems, and alpine peaks. Hundreds of

springs rise to the surface at South Fork Meadows, the

origin of the South Fork of the Santa Ana River

e Sand to Snow area includes an extraordinarily

diverse range of ecosystems from lowland deserts, fresh

water marshes, and Mojave riparian forests, to creosote

bush scrub ecosystems, and alpine peaks. Hundreds of

springs rise to the surface at South Fork Meadows, the

origin of the South Fork of the Santa Ana River. The

Sand to Snow area has been important to biological and

ecological research, as well as studies of climate and

land use change, the impact of fires and invasive

species management.

The area has a remarkable species richness that makes

it one of most biodiverse areas in southern California.

The area is home to 12 federally listed threatened and

endangered animal species. Species include the

endangered peninsular bighorn sheep, San Bernardino

Merriam's kangaroo rat, Arroyo toad, Mountain Yellow-

legged frog, and unarmored threespine stickleback, as

well as the threatened Santa Ana sucker, Coachella

Valley fringe-toed lizard, and desert tortoise.

A tremendous diversity of other wildlife species also

make their homes here. In the San Gorgonio Wilderness,

black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, mule deer, and

bighorn sheep can all be found. Species such as

ringtails, kit fox, striped skunk, California ground

squirrel, blacktail jackrabbit, and 19 species of bat

live in the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Amphibians and

reptiles including the Mohave Rattlesnake, red diamond

rattlesnake, rosy boa, desert spiny lizard, California

kingsnake, Western whiptail, and Pacific tree frog also

live in the Sand to Snow area.

squirrel, blacktail jackrabbit, and 19 species of bat

live in the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Amphibians and

reptiles including the Mohave Rattlesnake, red diamond

rattlesnake, rosy boa, desert spiny lizard, California

kingsnake, Western whiptail, and Pacific tree frog also

live in the Sand to Snow area.

The Sand to Snow area is famous for its oases

frequented by over 240 species of birds, including the

endangered Least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow

flycatcher, and Yuma clapper rail, as well as the

threatened coastal California gnatcatcher. Big Morongo

Canyon, characterized by steep canyons, rugged terrain,

and desert oases, is particularly high in biodiversity

and is among the largest desert riparian habitats in

California. It has been recognized as among the most

important avian habitats in the State. Common birds

found at Big Morongo Canyon include shore birds like

the American white pelican, great blue heron, and green

heron, raptors such as the Swainson's hawk, Northern

Harrier, and American kestrel, owls, including the

western screech-owl and great horned owl, and

hummingbirds, woodpeckers, vireos, and finches.

Additionally, 32 species of migratory birds

[[Page 8381]]

of conservation concern have been identified in the

Sand to Snow area, including eagles, sparrows, owls,

hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and falcons, among others.

western screech-owl and great horned owl, and

hummingbirds, woodpeckers, vireos, and finches.

Additionally, 32 species of migratory birds

[[Page 8381]]

of conservation concern have been identified in the

Sand to Snow area, including eagles, sparrows, owls,

hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and falcons, among others.

The Sand to Snow area is home to dozens of native plant

species, including 14 federally listed threatened or

endangered species of flowering plants. These include

the endangered California dandelion, Coachella Valley

milk-vetch, Cushenbury buckwheat, Cushenbury oxytheca,

pedate checker-mallow, San Bernardino bluegrass, San

Bernardino Mountains bladderpod, Santa Ana River

woolly-star, slender-petaled mustard, and triple-ribbed

milk-vetch and the threatened ash-grey paintbrush, Bear

Valley sandwort, Parish's daisy, and Southern Mountain

wild-buckwheat. The southern-most stand of quaking

aspen trees is located here as are important stands of

white fir and bigcone Douglas-fir.

The human history of the Sand to Snow area extends back

thousands of years. People now identified as part of

the Takic subset of the large Uto-Aztecan group of

Native Americans arrived in the region around 2,500

years ago. Ancient people of the area used a wide

variety of plants from both the mountains and the

Mojave desert, such as honey mesquite, oak,

pi[ntilde]on, cactus fruits, yucca roots, and tubers as

well as grasses, seeds, and berries. Common tools were

made of wood, bone, shell, stone, clay, and plant

fibers

cient people of the area used a wide

variety of plants from both the mountains and the

Mojave desert, such as honey mesquite, oak,

pi[ntilde]on, cactus fruits, yucca roots, and tubers as

well as grasses, seeds, and berries. Common tools were

made of wood, bone, shell, stone, clay, and plant

fibers. These people also manufactured woven goods,

pipes made of stone, awls made of bone, tools

associated with archery, and fire drills. They made

coiled basketry and simple undecorated ceramic pots

used for storage and transport.

The name ``Serrano'' was given to people living in the

Sand to Snow area by the Spanish missionaries in the

late 18th century and translates from Spanish as a

``person from the mountains.'' In 1834, the Spanish

forcibly relocated many Serrano people to the missions.

In 1840 the Serrano suffered a devastating smallpox

outbreak, and the disease returned in 1860. Ruth

Benedict, one of the world's foremost cultural

anthropologists, studied the Serrano extensively in

1924. However, by this time there were few remaining

eastern groups and no old shamans or priests survived.

Today, the rich archaeological resources in this area

serve to preserve the history of the Serrano people.

Black Lava Butte, topped by distinctive basaltic lava

flows, is sacred to the Serrano Tribe and home to a

substantial number of archaeological sites, including

evidence of habitation, rock art, and possible ritual

activities

sources in this area

serve to preserve the history of the Serrano people.

Black Lava Butte, topped by distinctive basaltic lava

flows, is sacred to the Serrano Tribe and home to a

substantial number of archaeological sites, including

evidence of habitation, rock art, and possible ritual

activities. Black Lava Butte contains an estimated

1,700 distinct petroglyphs, most of which have not yet

been studied and may provide insight into the history

of the Serrano and other tribes in the region. The mesa

also contains dozens of isolated grinding and milling

sites and at least one shelter site, where many milling

stones are present.

After the Holcomb Valley gold rush of 1860, ranchers

used the area for grazing sheep, horses, and cattle.

Many of the ranchers kept their herds at lower

elevations during the winter and drove their stock to

the meadows of the San Bernardino Mountains to graze

during the summer months. Old cattle paths, watering

holes, and campsites remain a part of the landscape

today. Although not particularly successful, many

miners prospected in the southeastern portions of the

San Bernardino Mountains. Evidence still remains in the

form of old cabins, mine shafts, prospecting pits, and

refuse deposits.

aths, watering

holes, and campsites remain a part of the landscape

today. Although not particularly successful, many

miners prospected in the southeastern portions of the

San Bernardino Mountains. Evidence still remains in the

form of old cabins, mine shafts, prospecting pits, and

refuse deposits.

The protection of the Sand to Snow area will preserve

its cultural, prehistoric, and historic legacy and

maintain its diverse array of natural and scientific

resources, ensuring that the historic and scientific

values of this area remain for the benefit of all

Americans. In addition to its significant scientific

and historic values, the area also provides world class

outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting,

fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, and

horseback riding.

WHEREAS, section 320301 of title 54, United States Code

(known as the ``Antiquities Act''), authorizes the

President, in his discretion, to declare

[[Page 8382]]

by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and

prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic

or scientific interest that are situated upon the lands

owned or controlled by the Federal Government to be

national monuments, and to reserve as a part thereof

parcels of land, the limits of which in all cases shall

be confined to the smallest area compatible with the

proper care and management of the objects to be

protected;

WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to preserve the

objects of scientific and historic interest on the Sand

to Snow lands;

parcels of land, the limits of which in all cases shall

be confined to the smallest area compatible with the

proper care and management of the objects to be

protected;

WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to preserve the

objects of scientific and historic interest on the Sand

to Snow lands;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the

United States of America, by the authority vested in me

by section 320301 of title 54, United States Code,

hereby proclaim the objects identified above that are

situated upon lands and interests in lands owned or

controlled by the Federal Government to be the Sand to

Snow National Monument (monument) and, for the purpose

of protecting those objects, reserve as part thereof

all lands and interests in lands owned or controlled by

the Federal Government within the boundaries described

on the accompanying map, which is attached to and forms

a part of this proclamation. These reserved Federal

lands and interests in lands encompass approximately

154,000 acres. The boundaries described on the

accompanying map are confined to the smallest area

compatible with the proper care and management of the

objects to be protected.

hed to and forms

a part of this proclamation. These reserved Federal

lands and interests in lands encompass approximately

154,000 acres. The boundaries described on the

accompanying map are confined to the smallest area

compatible with the proper care and management of the

objects to be protected.

All Federal lands and interests in lands within the

boundaries of the monument are hereby appropriated and

withdrawn from all forms of entry, location, selection,

sale, or other disposition under the public land laws

or laws applicable to the U.S. Forest Service, from

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and

from disposition under all laws relating to mineral and

geothermal leasing, other than by exchange that

furthers the protective purposes of the monument.

The establishment of the monument is subject to valid

existing rights. If the Federal Government acquires any

lands or interests in lands not owned or controlled by

the Federal Government within the boundaries described

on the accompanying map, such lands and interests in

lands shall be reserved as a part of the monument, and

objects identified above that are situated upon those

lands and interests in lands shall be part of the

monument, upon acquisition of ownership or control by

the Federal Government.

escribed

on the accompanying map, such lands and interests in

lands shall be reserved as a part of the monument, and

objects identified above that are situated upon those

lands and interests in lands shall be part of the

monument, upon acquisition of ownership or control by

the Federal Government.

The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the

Interior (Secretaries) shall manage the monument

through the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau

of Land Management (BLM), pursuant to their respective

applicable legal authorities, to implement the purposes

of this proclamation. The USFS shall manage that

portion of the monument within the boundaries of the

National Forest System (NFS), and BLM shall manage the

remainder of the monument. The lands administered by

USFS shall be managed as part of the San Bernardino

National Forest. The lands administered by BLM shall be

managed as a unit of the National Landscape

Conservation System, pursuant to applicable legal

authorities.

For purposes of protecting and restoring the objects

identified above, the Secretaries shall jointly prepare

a management plan for the monument and shall promulgate

such regulations for its management as deemed

appropriate. In developing any management plans and any

management rules and regulations governing NFS lands

within the monument, the Secretary of Agriculture,

through USFS, shall consult with the Secretary of the

Interior through BLM

shall promulgate

such regulations for its management as deemed

appropriate. In developing any management plans and any

management rules and regulations governing NFS lands

within the monument, the Secretary of Agriculture,

through USFS, shall consult with the Secretary of the

Interior through BLM. The Secretaries shall provide for

public involvement in the development of the management

plan including, but not limited to, consultation with

tribal, State, and local governments. In the

development and implementation of the management plan,

the Secretaries shall maximize opportunities, pursuant

to applicable legal authorities, for shared resources,

operational efficiency, and cooperation.

Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to

interfere with the operation or maintenance, or with

the replacement or modification within the

[[Page 8383]]

existing authorization boundary, of existing water

resource, flood control, utility, pipeline, or

telecommunications facilities that are located within

the monument. Existing water resource, flood control,

utility, pipeline, or telecommunications facilities

located within the monument may be expanded, and new

facilities may be constructed within the monument, to

the extent consistent with the proper care and

management of the objects identified above. This

proclamation does not alter or affect the valid

existing water rights of any party, including the

United States. This proclamation does not reserve water

as a matter of Federal law.

hin the monument, to

the extent consistent with the proper care and

management of the objects identified above. This

proclamation does not alter or affect the valid

existing water rights of any party, including the

United States. This proclamation does not reserve water

as a matter of Federal law.

Except for emergency or authorized administrative

purposes, motorized vehicle use in the monument shall

be permitted only on roads existing as of the date of

this proclamation. Non-motorized mechanized vehicle use

shall be permitted only on roads and trails designated

for their use consistent with the care and management

of the objects identified above.

Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to enlarge

or diminish the rights of any Indian tribe. The

Secretaries shall, to the maximum extent permitted by

law and in consultation with Indian tribes, ensure the

protection of Indian sacred sites and traditional

cultural properties in the monument and provide access

by members of Indian tribes for traditional cultural

and customary uses, consistent with the American Indian

Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. 1996) and Executive

Order 13007 of May 24, 1996 (Indian Sacred Sites).

Nothing in this proclamation shall preclude low level

overflights of military aircraft, the designation of

new units of special use airspace, the use or

establishment of military flight training routes over

the lands reserved by this proclamation, or related

military uses, consistent with the care and management

of the objects identified above.

level

overflights of military aircraft, the designation of

new units of special use airspace, the use or

establishment of military flight training routes over

the lands reserved by this proclamation, or related

military uses, consistent with the care and management

of the objects identified above.

Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to enlarge

or diminish the jurisdiction of the State of

California, including its jurisdiction and authority

with respect to fish and wildlife management.

Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to

alter the authority or responsibility of any party with

respect to emergency response activities within the

monument, including wildland fire response.

Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to revoke

any existing withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation;

however, the monument shall be the dominant

reservation.

[[Page 8384]]

Warning is hereby given to all unauthorized persons not

to appropriate, injure, destroy, or remove any feature

of the monument and not to locate or settle upon any of

the lands thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

twelfth day of February, in the year of our Lord two

thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United

States of America the two hundred and fortieth.

(Presidential Sig.)

Billing code 3295-F6-P

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TD18FE16.002

[FR Doc. 2016-03548

Filed 2-17-16; 11:15 am]

Billing code 4310-10-C