ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 8750ProclamationObama · D

Proclamation 8750

Establishment of the Fort Monroe National Monument

President Obama used the Antiquities Act to designate approximately 325 acres at Fort Monroe, Virginia as a national monument, withdrawing federal lands from development and directing the Secretaries of the Army and Interior to negotiate a transfer of management to the National Park Service. The proclamation also requires a management plan within 3 years and preserves Coast Guard control of the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse while allowing National Park Service interpretation.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 68625

Impact dates

  1. Secretary of Interior management plan for monument due

  2. Secretary of Interior and Secretary of Homeland Security interagency agreement on Old Point Comfort Lighthouse

Key directives

  • Secretaries of Army and Interior shall enter into memorandum of agreement identifying responsibilities, implementing actions, transfer processes, and dispute resolution
  • Secretary of Interior shall prepare management plan within 3 years of proclamation date
  • Secretary of Interior and Secretary of Homeland Security shall enter interagency agreement within 1 year regarding Old Point Comfort Lighthouse interpretation and preservation assistance
  • Secretary of Interior shall accept relinquishment of reversionary lands from Virginia on behalf of United States
  • Secretary of Interior shall manage monument through National Park Service after transfer completed
  • Secretary of Interior shall promulgate additional regulations as authorized by law for monument care and management

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Fort Monroe National Monument established
  • Federal lands withdrawn from entry, sale, leasing, mining, and mineral leasing

Near term (90d)

  • Secretary of Army and Secretary of Interior to enter memorandum of agreement on transfer responsibilities

Long term

  • Management plan due within 3 years
  • Transfer of administrative jurisdiction to Secretary of Interior upon completion of memorandum of agreement
  • Interagency agreement on lighthouse interpretation due within 1 year

Risks & tensions

  • Interagency coordination required between Army, Interior, and Homeland Security with potential for disputes over transfer timing and responsibilities
  • Virginia reversionary rights preserved, creating potential future boundary complexity if state exercises those rights
  • Army retains environmental remediation and munitions cleanup responsibilities, creating potential conflicts with public access and park development
  • Lighthouse remains under Coast Guard control with national security uses potentially limiting public interpretation
Proclamation 8750: Establishment of the Fort Monroe National Monument · Executive Orders