Information on national natural landmarks is made
available to Federal agencies, State and local governments, private
organizations, and individuals on request to assist in planning and decision
making. No financial assistance accompanies designation of an area as a
natural landmark. NPS may withhold certain information on specific landmarks
because of the fragility of the resources or to protect private landowner's
privacy.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Anyone
may suggest a natural area for possible inclusion on the National Registry of
Natural Landmarks.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
Anyone may suggest a natural area for possible inclusion on the National
Registry of Natural Landmarks. Land ownership is not a criterion. However,
landowners or administrators are notified and involved in considering sites
for possible designation. Landowners must agree to site designation.
Credentials/Documentation:
None.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:
Pre-application Coordination:
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure:
Contact a regional office or the Washington office of the National Park
Service to suggest a site which should be considered for possible natural
landmark designation.
Award Procedure: The
National Park Service has conducted natural region studies to identify
potential natural landmarks. In addition, sites may be suggested by any
individual or organization as described above. If a decision is made to make
an evaluation of a potential National Natural Landmark site owners are
contacted prior to beginning an evaluation. No site visits are made without
the permission of owners except when the land is publicly owned. Evaluations
are made by qualified scientists. If the Director of the National Park Service
determines an area meets the criteria for national significance, owners are
notified for a second time, provided with a copy of the evaluation, and the
opportunity to comment. National Park Service will review all documentation
including, but not limited to, evaluation reports, peer reviews, and received
comments. If some but not all of the property owners within a potential
National Natural Landmark object to designation, the National Park Service
will exclude the objecting properties and proceed with the process only if
enough area remains of non-objecting properties to allow sufficient
representation of the significant natural features. The Secretary of the
Interior reviews the materials that the Director of the National Park Service
submits and makes a decision on national natural landmark designation. If the
Secretary designates an area, a third notification is made to landowners.
Owners of designated sites are eligible to receive a plaque or certificate
recognizing their voluntary commitment to preserve the landmark's nationally
significant features.
Deadlines: None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
Depends on status of information on area, and availability of staff and funds.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
Not applicable.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: The National Park
Service maintains periodic contacts with the owners of designated natural
landmarks to determine whether the landmarks retain the values that qualified
them for landmark designation. The Service prepared an annual report for the
Secretary of the Interior to submit to the Congress but this mandate ended in
1999. This report is now titled Damaged and Threatened National Landmarks. It
identifies those designated natural landmarks that exhibit known or
anticipated damage or threats to the integrity of their nationally significant
resources.
Audits: Not applicable.
Records: Not applicable.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
14-1042-0-1-303.
Obligations: (Salaries and
expenses) FY 01 $978,000; FY 02 est $992,000; and FY 03 est $993,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
Not applicable.
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
With the exception of geological studies for the Brooks
Range and Southern Blue Ridge Natural Regions, the National Park Service has
conducted inventories in all natural regions. As of January 2000, the
Secretary of the Interior has designated 587 national natural landmarks.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Final Rule for administering the National Natural
Landmarks Program was published on May 12, 1999 (36 CFR Part 62). The
procedures include the criteria for listing areas on the National Registry of
Natural Landmarks and call for extensive public notice and review in the
landmark evaluation process. A listing of designated natural landmarks is
available from the National Park Service.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: See
Catalog Address Appendix IV.
Headquarters Office:
Natural Landmarks Program, Natural Systems Management Office (2320), National
Park Service, Washington, DC 20013- 7127. Telephone: (202) 219-8934. Use same
number for FTS.
Web Site Address:
http://www.family.info.gov\cfda\index.htm
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Not applicable.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Not applicable.
