ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 8944ProclamationObama · D

Proclamation 8944

Establishment of the First State National Monument

President Obama used the Antiquities Act to establish the First State National Monument in Delaware, protecting approximately 1,108 acres of historic sites including New Castle Court House, Dover Green, and the Woodlawn property in the Brandywine Valley. The monument preserves objects related to early European settlement, Delaware's role as the first state to ratify the Constitution, and a historically significant rural landscape. The Secretary of the Interior must prepare a management plan within 3 years, with the National Park Service managing the monument.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 18769

Impact dates

  1. Management plan due with full public involvement

Key directives

  • Establish First State National Monument on approximately 1,108 acres
  • Withdraw federal lands from all forms of entry, location, selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under public land laws
  • Withdraw from mining laws and mineral/geothermal leasing laws
  • Secretary of Interior to manage monument through National Park Service
  • Secretary to promulgate additional regulations as needed for care and management
  • Secretary to prepare management plan with full public involvement within 3 years
  • Management plan must preserve historic objects, interpret settlement history and Delaware's constitutional role, and preserve Woodlawn per Bancroft's vision
  • National Park Service to consult with state/local agencies on interpretation and visitor services
  • National Park Service to seek agreements for visitor services, interpretation, education, and preservation

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • National monument established
  • Federal lands withdrawn from entry, sale, leasing, mining, and mineral/geothermal disposition
  • Warning issued against unauthorized appropriation or damage

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Management plan due within 3 years
  • Ongoing NPS management and interpretation
  • Potential agreements with state/local agencies and regional organizations

Risks & tensions

  • Monument subject to 'valid existing rights,' creating potential legal uncertainty
  • Non-federal lands only reserved upon US acquisition, leaving some boundary areas in transitional status
  • Regional coordination with numerous partner sites (Old Swedes Church, Fort Christina, Hagley, Winterthur, etc.) may create management complexity
Proclamation 8944: Establishment of the First State National Monument · Executive Orders