The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 264 million acres of the some of most magnificent public lands in the American West — nearly as much as the Forest Service and National Park Service combined. While the BLM may not be as familiar to people as the Park Service, Americans know these lands from the paintings of Georgia O'Keefe, the adventure books of Zane Gray and movies starring John Wayne. BLM lands are also important ecologically. They support 228 species listed as threatened or endangered and over 1,500 "sensitive" species. Ninety million acres provide key habitat for big game, including antelope, bison, big horn sheep, and elk, while more than 175 million acres are important for 400 species of songbirds. BLM lands are also rich in relatively undisturbed archeological sites: an estimated 4 million sites have been identified.

The BLM is now the steward of some of our nation's newest National Monuments. Between 1996 and 2001, fifteen new National Monuments across the West were entrusted to the BLM. These special places range from the 51-acre Pompey's Pillar Monument in Montana, which safeguards sandstone cliffs where William Clark carved his initials in 1806, to the 1-million acre Grand Canyon-Parashant Monument in Arizona, which protects critical habitat, landscapes and water resources along the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Although monument designation provides valuable protection for the land, water and wildlife, many of the new monuments are threatened by dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other off-road vehicles. These threats are so significant that the presidential proclamations, which formally designate these monuments, prohibit motorized travel off-road.

For general information about National Monuments, visit BLM's National Monument webpage.

Many National Monuments are at risk today from uncontrolled off-road vehicle use that damages the land, pollutes the air and water, harms wildlife and threatens public safety. The following fact sheets spotlight these risks:

• BLM and Off-Road Vehicles (also available as PDF)
• Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Oregon
• Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona

National Monument Planning Process

Over the next several years, the BLM will develop management plans for new National Monuments under its jurisdiction. The planning process offers the very best opportunity for the American people to help chart the course of these areas for many years to come. To facilitate public involvement, the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition will provide information about the planning process in general and planning on a monument-by-monument basis.