What are the requirements for a national monument?

What are the requirements for a national monument? How does an area become a national monument? To be established by the President, the area must meet the criteria of the Antiquities Act (54 U.S.C § 320301), including having objects of historic or scientific interest located on land already owned or controlled by the Federal government.

How is a monument protected?

A Pennsylvania law states that a person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if he: (1) intentionally desecrates any public monument or structure, or place of worship or burial; or (2) intentionally desecrates any other object of veneration by the public or a substantial segment thereof in any public place; ...

Who declares a national monument?

-The President may, in the President's discretion, declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated on land owned or controlled by the Federal Government to be national monuments.

Are national monuments public land?

Iconic locations like Yosemite and Yellowstone attract visitors from all over the world, but our public lands are so much more than just the big 61 national parks. They're also scenic rivers, national marine monuments, national battlefields and wildernesses.

What is the law on national monuments?

The Antiquities Act of 1906 is one of our nation's most important conservation tools. Used to safeguard and preserve federal lands and cultural and historical sites for all Americans to enjoy, 18 presidents have used this authority and have designated 161 national monuments.

Can a statue be a national monument?

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designated as a National Monument in 1924.

Who owns the national monuments?

In the United States, a national monument is a protected area that can be created from any land owned or controlled by the federal government by proclamation of the president of the United States or an act of Congress.

How many national monuments are there?

This was followed by the formation of the National Park Service in 1916. As of January 2021, there are 130 National Monuments that are managed by various federal agencies. From New York's Statue of Liberty to California's Muir Woods, these monuments are as diverse as they are beautiful.