Establishment of White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park was established on December 20th, 2019

NPS Photo

On December 20th, 2019, White Sands National Monument became White Sands National Park with the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act. You can also read the Establish White Sands National Park Act in bill S.871 in the 116th session of congress.

The following text is the establishment of White Sands National Park from the National Defense Authorization Act from page 133 STAT. 1895 part (b)

• (b) White Sands National Park.--
  • (1) <> Establishment.--To protect, preserve, and restore its scenic, scientific, educational, natural, geological, historical, cultural, archaeological, paleontological, hydrological, fish, wildlife and recreational values and to enhance visitor experiences,there is established in the State the White Sands National Park as a unit of the National Park System
  • (2) Abolishment of white sands national monument.--
    • (A) Abolishment.--Due to the establishment of the Park, the Monument is abolished.
    • (B) Incorporation.--The land and interests in land that comprise the Monument are incorporated in, and shall be considered to be part of, the Park.
  • (3) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the ``White Sands National Monument'' shall be considered to be a reference to the ``White Sands National Park''.
  • (4) Availability of funds.--Any funds available for the Monument shall be available for the Park.
  • (5) Administration.--The Secretary of the Interior shall administer the Park in accordance with--
    • (A) this subsection; and
    • (B) the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including section 100101(a), chapter 1003, sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101, and chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.
  • (6) World heritage list nomination.--
    • (A) County concurrence.--The Secretary of the Interior shall not submit a nomination for the Park to be included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization unless each county in which the Park is located concurs in the nomination.
    • (B) Army notification.--Before submitting a nomination for the Park to be included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Secretary of the Interior shall notify the Secretary of the Army of the intent of the Secretary of the Interior to nominate the Park.
  • (7) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection affects--
    • (A) valid existing rights (including water rights);
    • (B) permits or contracts issued by the Monument;
    • (C) existing agreements, including agreements with the Department of Defense;
    • (D) the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense regarding the restricted airspace above the Park; or
    • (E) the airshed classification of the Park under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.).

 

Why the Change

Generally, a national monument is intended to preserve at least one nationally significant resource. A national park contains a variety of resources and encompasses large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources. In the case of White Sands National Park, the monument was established to protect parts of the 275 square mile gypsum dune field.

In the last 20 years researchers and scientists have made new discoveries, such as the dunehearth mounds which are found nowhere else, the largest collection of ice age animal trackways in the world and more recently, 21,000 - 23,000 year old human footprints.

Congress determined that since the Monument establishment, substantially more diverse nationally significant historical, archaeological, scientific, and natural resources have been found throughout the park. Congress also found that as a major unit of National Park Service and the most visited national park in New Mexico since 1995, a Park would increase public recognition of the diverse array of nationally significant resources and increase visitation to the unit.

Congress therefore, established White Sands National Park to protect, preserve, and restore its scenic, scientific, educational, natural, geological, historical, cultural, archaeological, paleontological, hydrological, fish, wildlife, and recreational values and to enhance visitor experiences.