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This appendix provides a list of the various proclamations and acts regarding Pinnacles National Monument. Beneath each title, the document describes what effect it had on the Monument. The total acreage of the Monument, 16,257.57, appears at the bottom of the page.
1985
The National Park Service recommends designating areas of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park as wilderness. Their report also describes the wilderness preservation system and master plan policy for historical areas in the national park system, summarizes the preliminary wilderness proposal, and records the commentary generated from public hearings on the topic.
1972-08
Bureau of Land Management Director Rasmussen expresses approval of the preliminary report by the National Park Service which describes the north unit of the park as being suitable for wilderness designation and the south unit as being unsuitable.
1970-12-15
Assistant Director for State Grants and Resource Studies Underhill informs Acting Director of the Midwest Region Giles that they will not present a statement at the hearings regarding the wilderness proposal for the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial park. Underhill mentions the existence of dish tanks in the proposed wilderness area and relays that they are man made and do not fit the definition of wilderness area as presently defined by Congress.
1970-12-03
This document contains some limited descriptive notes on the history and status of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park in 1930 and in 1945. In 1945, the Forest Service land is badly overgrazed, but the Park land–including grassland and some badlands–is in good condition. There are also some limited notes on Elkhorn Ranch.
1945-
Senator Burdick from North Dakota prefaces and reprints an article by Steve Schmidt, originally published in the Bismarck Tribune, in the “Senate” section of the Congressional Record. The article argues for the change in designation of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and also a change from the park’s classification as “historical” to “natural.” Both Burdick’s preface and Schmidt’s article provide “background leading to the introduction of S. 1609,” Burdick’s congressional bill to make the site a full-fledged national park, which would ultimately occur in 1978.
1975-06-19
Francis J. Wolcott of the Sierra Club makes recommendations regarding several possible wilderness areas within Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. He notes that the North Dakota Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan suggests that adequate facilities now exist in the area of the Park, and that the Park should not be devoted to activities such as boating, water skiing, or hunting, because they are not the reason the Park has been designated.
1970-12-08
The document outlines the history of Medora, North Dakota, since its founding in 1883 by French nobleman Antoine Amédée Marie Vincent Manca de Vallombrosa Morès and his wife, Medora von Hoffman, after whom the town is named. The significance of the cattle industry in the town is highlighted and prominent men associated with Medora, such as Theodore Roosevelt and the poet James W. Foley, are also noted. A map of Medora is included. On the map, an arrow notes the location of a hearing.
Unknown
The National Park Service announces public hearings in Medora and Watford City, North Dakota, about the wilderness proposal for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
1970-09-28
The National Park Service announces public hearings in Watford City and Medora, North Dakota, about the proposed wilderness plan for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
1970-10-28
A group of conservationist organizations announce the plans for wilderness areas within Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the public hearings in connection with those plans. Included in the announcement are maps and descriptions of specific areas within the park, as conservationists hope to pay special attention to issues of park boundaries at the hearings.
1970-11-18
This master plan summary for Theodore Roosevelt National Park outlines the National Park Service’s plans for the Park. It outlines the historical, geological, and natural significance of the Park as the former site of Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch and the home to wildlife and unique geology. The proposed changes to the Park include a boundary change in the North Unit, the acquisition of the remaining privately-owned lands, provisions for additional facilities for employees and visitors, and accessibility improvements and updates.
1970
J. Leonard Volz, Midwest Director of the National Parks Service, responds to questions regarding the Theodore Roosevelt National Monument Park from conservation lobbyist and Wilderness Society Coordinator of Special Projects Doug Scott. The answers mostly correct misunderstandings regarding the nature of improvements in the park, such as roads, and issues regarding usage. Volz also corrects some inaccuracies in the maps Scott has been referencing and clarifies how their actions relate to the Wilderness Act of 1964. Finally, Volz makes some comments about the process of public hearings and the use of the testimony which is presented there.
1972-12-13
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Bohlen thanks Harry B. Crandell, Director of Wilderness Reviews at The Wilderness Society, for his letter. He says he is happy that the National Parks Service is acquiring mineral rights at the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. He recommends that this development be recorded in congressional committee rather than making President Nixon amend a previous proposal regarding the park, as this will be much simpler.
1972-12-12
Superintendent Lancaster of Theodore Roosevelt National Park writes to Wilderness Society Director of Field Services Merritt regarding the disposition of certain lands at the park. He informs Merritt that the private inholding in question has not been purchased yet, but that the mineral rights on another parcel have been acquired by the National Park Service.
1972-11-14
Grid map of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, showing the areas proposed for designation as wilderness.
1972
This bill designates certain lands in various national parks and other national lands as wilderness areas. Theodore Roosevelt National park is among those included.
1972-10-04
This is a section in the Congressional Record-Senate, where Senator Burdick explains why Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park should receive full park designation and be renamed the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Burdick states that the memorial park status has resulted in inadequate recognition unfitting of the memory of Theodore Roosevelt. Burdick also includes a letter from Joseph Satrom, North Dakota travel director, discussing the use of the word “memorial” in the title of the park.
1972-10-09
President Nixon urges Congress to quickly approve of his endeavor to designate the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. Nixon has been accelerating his efforts to preserve more lands as parks and he is not satisfied with the rate in which Congress has acted on these lands. Cooperating in this regard will result in a better-served public.
1972-09-21
Secretary of the Interior Morton makes formal recommendations to President Nixon to preserve land for Theodore Roosevelt National Park. After making a review of the land, Morton believes preserving this land will fulfill the ecological and environmental imperative pursued by the Department of the Interior. Certain areas without roads are further designated for conservation. Morton also notes the inclusion of a report from the National Park Service, a draft bill incorporating the above stated areas, and a draft environmental impact statement with the letter.
1972-08-14