From Grassroots Effort to National Monument

Today President Obama signed a proclamation designating approximately 970 acres of federally owned land as the San Juan Islands National Monument. These lands will be managed by the Bureau of Land Management for conservation and recreation purposes.

You may link to the full text of the San Juan Islands Proclamation signed into effect by President Obama.

We couldn’t be more pleased.

This designation comes in response to a community grassroots effort that began almost three years ago, and will apply to approximately 1,000 acres that are located throughout our archipelago. These lands, which include over 60 uninhabited islands, headlands and lighthouse properties, provide exceptional wildlife habitat and some of the most popular recreation destinations in the region. Cattle Point (San Juan Island), Iceberg Point and Watmough Bight (Lopez Island), Turn Point (Stuart Island), Carter Point (the southern tip of Lummi Island) and Patos Island are just a few of many natural treasures that would be permanently protected by this presidential proclamation.

The San Juan Islands National Monument will only include land that is already under federal ownership – it will not apply to any private land in the islands, nor does it authorize any additional land acquisitions. The BLM will continue to manage these lands under their new National Monument status.