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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2002

The Department of Interior is beginning a formal consultation process with states, tribes and local governments on management plans for 17 national monuments.

The plans will affect how the land is used, including prior rights, such as drilling, that were reserved. Recreational use of parks is also under consideration.

Fifteen of the 17 plans under consideration are for monuments that former President Bill Clinton designated in his final two years in office. The designations drew opposition from governors in Western states and Republicans.

When it comes to recreation, The New York Times accuses Norton of "coddling" off-road vehicle users. "Our view is that she has been too solicitous of recreational and commercial interests," the paper writes in an editorial today.

The paper calls on President Bush to "set the tone" regarding protection of national parks and monuments and says Congress has also been "complicit in coddling commercial interest."

Get the Story:
Debate Begins on Use Of Monument Lands (The Washington Post 4/24)
Local input pushed for U.S. monuments (The Denver Post 4/24)
Editorial: Parks Under Siege (The New York Times 4/24)
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Related Stories:
Monument bill clears House panel (3/21)
Norton targets monuments for changes (3/29)
Babbitt recommends two monuments (1/9)