Gentlemen,
I'm writing with respect to the currently open comment period on earlyh scoping for the revised Pinnacles National Monument General Management Plan to be completed sometime in 2008.
Specifically, I'm concerned about the wording of the draft Purpose and Significance statements outlined in the newsletter (which can be found on the Park Planning Site
The Purpose Statement
The purpose statement uses wording consistent with the Antiquities Act of 1906 which was used to establish Pinnacles National Monument. Specifically, "to protect the volcanic Pinnacle Rocks formation [which] are of scientific and educational value." Nowhere is "recreation" a consideration. This means that a strict interpretation of this purpose statement could lead to restrictions or banning of climbing activities.
The Antiquities Act is subject to considerable controversy including issues of appropriate land use which should be of particular interest to climbers. Technically, recreation is not a component of a National Monument. However, the Act has historically been used as a way to protect land without requiring an act of congress which is needed for National Park designation. In many instances, existing land use included recreation.
- especially the document titled, "National Monuments and the Antiquities Act"
The Significance Statement
Interestingly, there is no mention of rock climbing as being a significant consideration for the planning process. However, there is mention that "the character of Pinnacles National Monument was strongly influenced by the work of the 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps." The CCC was responsible for many of the parks trails (including chopping stairs in the rocks), construction and flooding of the reservoir, as well as other man made impacts to the land.
It should be obvious that the character of the monument is also greatly influenced by rock climbing (and with much less impact to its resources.) Climbing in the monument also dates to the ‘30s when Sierra Club climbers made the first technical assent of Condor Crags in 1933. David Brower, a seminal figure in outdoor conservation, was on this first ascent.
It would be interesting to know how the combined vertical feet of all the established climbing routes in the monument compares to the combined distance of the hiking trails. Also, what percentage of annual visitors are rock climbers? I would guess that on both counts, rock climbing qualifies as significant to the monument. For many, Pinnacles is synonymous with rock climbing.
In Summary
What steps are the FOP taking to ensure that recreation be given consideration as a valid purpose for the Pinnacles National Monument and that rock climbing specifically be considered as a significant factor in the planning process?
Thanks
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