San Juan Islands celebrate National Monument status
Photo at right by Tom Reeve
Washington residents celebrated on Monday, April 1, with some of the officials who made their new National Monument status possible. Guests at public celebrations in Anacortes and on Lopez Island included Senator Maria Cantwell and Congressman Rick Larson, while Interior Secretary Ken Salazar attended the Anacortes event. It was a chance to thank all those who spent countless hours working toward this goal.
The San Juan Islands National Monument will encompass approximately 75 Bureau of Land Management sites totaling about 1,000 acres in San Juan, Whatcom and Skagit counties. Designation as a National Monument removes these lands from possible sale or development by the Bureau and engages the local community in developing and carrying out a management plan for these lands.
Tom Reeve, an adjoining land owner and member of Islanders for the San Juans National Monument, said, “Adding these lands to BLM’s National Conservation Lands ensures their permanent protection for both locals and visitors. This is the result of determined work by Congressman Rick Larsen, Senator Maria Cantwell, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and our county council responding to the goals of the community that cares so deeply about these lands. We are incredibly grateful for all of their efforts.”
