Browns Canyon National Monument

Browns Canyon National Monument
Rock outcroppings in Browns Canyon
Map showing the location of Browns Canyon National Monument
Map showing the location of Browns Canyon National Monument
Map showing the location of Browns Canyon National Monument
Map showing the location of Browns Canyon National Monument
LocationChaffee County, Colorado, USA
Nearest citySalida, Colorado
Coordinates38°36′43″N 106°03′36″W / 38.6119°N 106.06°W / 38.6119; -106.06
Area21,586 acres (8,736 ha)
AuthorizedFebruary 19, 2015
Governing bodyBureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service
WebsiteBrowns Canyon National Monument

Browns Canyon National Monument is a 21,586 acres (87 km2) national monument in Chaffee County, Colorado, that was designated as such by President Barack Obama under the Antiquities Act on February 19, 2015.[1][2][3][4] The site will be centered along the Arkansas River between Buena Vista and Salida.[5][6] Browns Canyon is the most popular destination for whitewater rafting in the country, and is also known for its fishing and hiking.[5] The monument will provide habitat protection for bighorn sheep, peregrine falcons, elk, and golden eagles.[5]

Designation of the monument was requested by numerous Colorado lawmakers, including Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, Representative Joel Hefley[3] and Governor John Hickenlooper.[6] It was opposed by Representatives Ken Buck and Doug Lamborn, who objected to the president's use of executive action in declaring the monument.[6] Lamborn also objected to the effect that the monument's creation would have on grazing, mineral and water rights;[7] in response, the White House stated that the designation would honor "valid and existing rights, but withdraws the area from future mineral leasing."[8]

The monument is run jointly by the Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service.[6]

  1. ^ Sheppard, Kate (19 February 2015). "Obama Will Designate 3 New National Monuments". Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. ^ "FACT SHEET: Launching the Every Kid in a Park Initiative and Designating New National Monuments". whitehouse.gov. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015 – via National Archives.
  3. ^ a b "Finally, national monument status for Browns Canyon". denverpost.com. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  4. ^ Greiner, Joe. "Browns Canyon National Monument Ceremony". Inaraft.com. Wilderness Aware Rafting. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  5. ^ a b c "New Browns Canyon National Monument to protect southern Colorado's recreation paradise". Wilderness.org. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d "Obama to declare Browns Canyon in Colorado a national monument". denverpost.com. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  7. ^ "Colorado Republicans blast Obama's latest national monument as land grab – Washington Times". The Washington Times. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  8. ^ "Obama Browns Canyon border 'very similar' to Udall's". The Chaffee County Times. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.