ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 7373ProclamationClinton · D Quiet signal

Proclamation 7373

Boundary Enlargement of the Craters of the Moon National Monument

President Clinton enlarged the Craters of the Moon National Monument by approximately 661,287 acres to protect the complete Great Rift volcanic zone and associated lava features. The proclamation withdraws federal lands from development, restricts off-road vehicle use, assigns management responsibilities between the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management, and requires preparation of a transportation plan and cooperative management agreement.

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 69221

Key directives

  • Reserve approximately 661,287 acres as addition to Craters of the Moon National Monument
  • Withdraw federal lands from all forms of entry, location, selection, sale, leasing under public land laws
  • Withdraw from mining laws and mineral/geothermal leasing except exchange furthering protective purposes
  • Secretary shall prohibit all motorized and mechanized vehicle use off road except emergency or authorized administrative purposes
  • Secretary of Interior shall prepare transportation plan for road closures and travel restrictions
  • NPS and BLM shall manage cooperatively and prepare agreement to share resources
  • NPS shall have primary management authority over exposed lava flows portion
  • BLM shall have primary management authority over remaining portion

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Federal lands withdrawn from entry, sale, leasing, and mining
  • Off-road motorized/mechanized vehicle use prohibited except emergencies/authorized purposes
  • National Park Service assumes primary management authority over exposed lava flows
  • Bureau of Land Management assumes primary management authority over remaining portion

Near term (90d)

  • Secretary of Interior to prepare transportation plan addressing road closures and travel restrictions
  • NPS and BLM to prepare cooperative management agreement to share resources

Long term

  • Ongoing cooperative management of monument between NPS and BLM
  • Continued grazing permit administration under BLM policies
  • Wilderness Study Areas managed under FLPMA section 603(c)

Risks & tensions

  • No explicit deadlines for transportation plan or cooperative agreement, creating implementation uncertainty
  • Split management between NPS and BLM may create jurisdictional friction
  • Grazing and water rights provisions seek to preempt conflict with state/local interests but may still generate disputes
  • Subject to valid existing rights, leaving some development potential
Proclamation 7373: Boundary Enlargement of the Craters of the Moon National Monument · Executive Orders