Establishment of the Giant Sequoia National Monument

President Clinton established the Giant Sequoia National Monument, reserving approximately 327,769 acres of federal land in California to protect giant sequoia groves and associated scientific, historic, and ecological resources. The proclamation withdraws these lands from commercial timber production, mining, and most development, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a management plan within 3 years with scientific advisory input, and imposes restrictions on motorized vehicle use and road construction.

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 24095

Impact dates

Apr 15, 2003
Management plan for monument due from Secretary of Agriculture
Dec 31, 2000
Motorized vehicle use permitted on trails until but not after this date

Key directives

Reserve approximately 327,769 acres as Giant Sequoia National Monument
Withdraw lands from entry, location, selection, sale, leasing, mining, and mineral/geothermal leasing
Prohibit timber production and sustained yield calculations from monument lands
Restrict tree removal to ecological restoration, maintenance, public safety, and personal use fuel wood
Direct Secretary of Agriculture to manage monument through Forest Service
Require management plan within 3 years of April 15, 2000
Appoint Scientific Advisory Board in consultation with National Academy of Sciences
Require consultation with Secretary of Interior through BLM and National Park Service
Restrict motorized vehicles to designated roads only after December 31, 2000
Restrict non-motorized mechanized vehicles to designated roads and trails
Prohibit new roads or trails except to further monument purposes
Reserve water sufficient to fulfill monument purposes

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Monument establishment and land withdrawal effective April 15, 2000
Lands appropriated and withdrawn from entry, sale, leasing, mining, and mineral/geothermal leasing
Existing timber sales under contract may continue
Water reservation takes effect
Motorized vehicle use permitted on existing trails until December 31, 2000

Near term (90d)

Motorized vehicle use on trails prohibited after December 31, 2000
Existing roads and trails may be closed or altered prior to management plan issuance

Long term

Management plan due by April 15, 2003 (3 years from signing)
Scientific Advisory Board to be appointed to guide initial management plan development
Regulations for monument management to be promulgated
Transportation plan to be developed as part of management plan

Risks & tensions

Tension between conservation goals and existing timber/mining economic interests
Potential conflict with State of California over jurisdiction regarding fish and wildlife management
Scientific Advisory Board composition and influence subject to Secretary's discretion
Valid existing rights and contracts create implementation complexity
BLM/NPS consultation required but final authority rests with Agriculture, creating interagency friction potential