Congressman Sam Farr introduced a bill today to change the
designation of the national monument.
WASHINGTON D.C.
Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) introduced a bill today to Congress that would change the designation of Pinnacles National Monument to Pinnacles National Park, according to a press release from the congressman’s office. The bill is called the Pinnacles National Park Act.
“Upgrading Pinnacles to a National Park makes sense for historic, natural and economic reasons,” Farr said in the release. “This area is much more than rock formations. It’s a huge swatch of land with historical significance for the state, it provides an important refuge for the California Condor and it has great potential for tourism revenue.”
The designation of “monument” is given to smaller areas that have a specific resource without much diversity. According to the release, Pinnacles National Monument is comprised of 14,500 acres and home to 32 species holding special federal or state status and offers much more than rock formations.
The bill, titled H.R. 3444, would also give the Interior Secretary the power to acquire land within the boundaries of the park as deemed necessary.
