    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATION 9131--MAY 21, 2014

    Proclamation 9131 of May 21, 2014

    Establishment of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    In southern New Mexico, surrounding the city of Las Cruces in the
    R[iacute]o Grande's fertile Mesilla Valley, five iconic mountain ranges
    rise above Chihuahuan Desert grasslands: the Robledo, Sierra de las
    Uvas, Do[ntilde]a Ana, Organ, and Potrillo Mountains. These mountain
    ranges and lowlands form the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area.
    The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area is important for its ruggedly
    beautiful landscape and the significant scientific, historic, and
    prehistoric resources found there. The abundant resources testify to
    over 10,000 years of vibrant and diverse human history of many peoples.
    Objects left behind by this multi-layered history and spread throughout
    this geologically and ecologically diverse landscape enhance the
    experience of visitors to the area and represent a vital resource for
    paleontologists, archaeologists, geologists, biologists, and historians.
    Archaeologically rich, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area features
    hundreds of artifacts, rock art, dwellings, and other evidence of the
    Native peoples of the area. Three of the many rock art areas are in the
    Las Valles Canyon in the Sierra de las Uvas, the Providence Cone area in
    the Potrillo Mountains, and the Do[ntilde]a Ana Mountains. Scattered
    Paleo Indian artifacts, including those from the Folsom and Clovis
    cultures, represent the first people who lived in southern New Mexico
    and have been found in the Robledo and Potrillo Mountains as well as the
    Las Uvas Valley. The majority of the cultural items known to be in the
    Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area are from the Chihuahuan Archaic period
    between 8,000 and 2,000 years ago. Diverse rock art images, along with
    ceramic fragments, demonstrate that the area was the scene of many
    cross-cultural interactions as the region's early occupants transitioned
    over time from roaming hunters to semi-permanent villagers.
    The deeply creviced peaks of the Organ Mountains, named in 1682 by early
    European explorers for their resemblance to organ pipes, conceal
    numerous ancient dwellings, including La Cueva, and other caves where
    smoke-blackened ceilings evidence long-extinguished campfires. The
    Native people of these mountains used natural overhangs for shel

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    ter and food storage, and their obsidian points, basket fragments, and
    food remains are still present. Small caves and pit-house villages can
    be found across the landscape, including ruins of a ten-room pueblo in
    the Robledo Mountains.
    El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail memorializes an
    early trading route linking numerous pre-existing Native American
    footpaths to connect Spanish colonial capitals. The Trail, used through
    the 19th century by travelers, traders, settlers, soldiers, clergy, and
    merchants, skirts the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area as it follows
    the R[iacute]o Grande Valley. Explorers and travelers along the Trail
    documented the marvels of this area in their journals and explored the
    mountains in search of mineral riches and game. Historians continue to
    study the southernmost portion of the area, which was acquired in 1854
    as part of the Gadsden Purchase, the final territorial acquisition
    within the contiguous United States.
    In the 1800s, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area was central to
    several battles among the Apaches, Spanish, Mexicans, and Americans, and
    between Union and Confederate troops. The first Civil War engagements in
    New Mexico were fought in the Organ Mountains when Confederate soldiers
    used Baylor Pass Trail to outflank Union soldiers. In a Robledo
    Mountains legend, the famed Apache leader Geronimo is said to have
    entered a cave to avoid U.S. soldiers; while the soldiers stood guard at
    the only entrance of what is now known as ``Geronimo's Cave,'' the
    Apache leader mysteriously disappeared without a trace. An 1880s U.S.
    military heliograph station, the remains of which still stand at Lookout
    Peak in the Robledo Mountains, transmitted Morse code messages during
    the Army's western campaigns.
    In the late 1850s, John Butterfield developed the Butterfield Overland
    Trail, a mail and passenger stagecoach service from Memphis and St.
    Louis to San Francisco. Butterfield set upon improving the segments of
    the Trail in southern New Mexico that had been previously used by
    Spanish explorers, the Mormon Battalion, and western settlers. Crossing
    the Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks area are about 20 miles of the Trail,
    along which sit the remains of at least one stage stop.
    Visitors to the Organ Mountains can still see remnants of Dripping
    Springs, a once-popular resort and concert hall, built in the 1870s and
    converted into a sanatorium before its abandonment and decay. In the
    late 19th century, the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid (William H. Bonney)
    repeatedly traversed this area. While hiding in the Robledo Mountains,
    ``the Kid'' inscribed his signature, which is still visible today, on
    what is now known as ``Outlaw Rock.'' During World War II, the Army
    Corps of Engineers constructed 18-acre bombing targets, the remains of
    which still dot the landscape.
    The long, diverse, and storied history of this landscape is not
    surprising given its striking geologic features and the ecological
    diversity that they harbor. The dramatic and disparate mountain ranges
    of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area tower above the surrounding
    grasslands and deserts of the R[iacute]o Grande watershed, while the
    R[iacute]o Grande winds through the valley between the ranges. From the
    sedimentary deposits of the Robledo Mountains in the west, where the
    story of ancient life and activity is recorded in fossilized footprints,
    to the needle-like spires of the Organ Mountains in the east and the

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    ancient volcanic fields and lava flows in the south, these peaks trace
    the region's varied geologic history.
    The Sierra de las Uvas, the westernmost of the peaks, are low volcanic
    mountains that bear the red tint of the lava from which they formed over
    10 million years ago. The tallest, Magdalena Peak, is a lava dome rising
    6,509 feet above sea level. For millennia, the ridges, cliffs, and
    canyons of the rugged Sierra de las Uvas have defined the movement and
    migration patterns of humans and wildlife alike. The Robledo Mountains,
    which are composed of alluvial limestone bedrock and contain numerous
    caves, have long been an important site for research on the formation of
    desert soils and sedimentary rock, including geological studies of
    sedimentation and stratigraphy.
    The Potrillo Mountains and volcanic field are testament to the area's
    violent geologic history of seismicity and volcanism. Millions of years
    after the Cenozoic tectonics that opened the R[iacute]o Grande Rift,
    volcanic activity left its mark on the surface, which is punctuated by
    cinder cone and shield volcanoes, thick layers of basalt, craters, and
    lava flows. The Potrillo volcanic field contains over 100 cinder cones,
    ranging in age from 20,000 to one million years old. The Aden Lava Flow
    area is characterized by lava tubes, steep-walled depressions, and
    pressure ridges that memorialize the flow of lava that created this
    unique landscape.
    The volcanic field also contains five maars, or low-relief volcanic
    craters. Kilbourne Hole, a maar with unique volcanic features that the
    Secretary of the Interior designated as a National Natural Landmark in
    1975, is over a mile wide and over 300 feet deep. The sparkling yellow
    and green olivine glass granules found inside rocks blown from the
    crater attract amateur and professional geologists to this site, and its
    resemblance to the lunar landscape provides scientists and visitors with
    other-worldly experiences, as it did for the Apollo astronauts who
    trained there. A slightly smaller maar, Hunt's Hole, brings visitors and
    geologists to the southeastern corner of the Potrillo Mountains complex.
    The wide range of unique and exemplary volcanic features in the
    Potrillos makes this area a center for research in geology and
    volcanology.
    The iconic Do[ntilde]a Ana Mountains include limestone ridges, hogbacks,
    and cuestas topped by monzonite peaks, including Summerford Mountain and
    Do[ntilde]a Ana Peak, the highest of these at nearly 6,000 feet. To the
    east, the steep, needle-like spires of the Organ Mountains rise to over
    9,000 feet and have been a landmark for travelers for centuries. These
    block-faulted, uplifted mountains expose geologically significant
    Precambrian granite and metamorphic basement rocks.
    Much of the area is ripe for paleontological discovery. For example,
    Shelter Cave in the Organ Mountains is a well-documented fossil site,
    including fossil remnants of ancient ground sloths, birds, and voles.
    The Robledo Mountains are also an important site for paleontological
    research; the fossilized tracks and remains of prehistoric creatures
    preserved there play a vital role in our understanding of the Permian
    period. This area, along with the Organ Mountains, also contains
    abundant invertebrate fossils. The congressionally designated
    Prehistoric Trackways National Monument is adjacent to, and shares its
    paleontologically rich geologic formations with, the Organ Mountains-

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    Desert Peaks area, suggesting that this landscape could yield many more
    significant fossil discoveries. Among the volcanic cones in the Potrillo
    Mountains is Aden Crater, a small shield cone where a lava tube housed
    the 11,000-year old skeleton of a ground sloth, one of few ever
    recovered with skin and hair preserved and a key to understanding the
    extinction of this and other species.
    The diverse geology underlies an equally wide array of vegetative
    communities and ecosystems, which range from low-elevation Chihuahuan
    grasslands and scrublands to higher elevation stands of ponderosa pine.
    Seasonal springs and streams in the mountains and canyon bottoms create
    rare desert riparian ecosystems. These communities provide habitat for
    many endemic and special status plant and animal species.
    Throughout the area, the characteristic plants of the Chihuahuan desert
    are evident. Tobosa grasslands can be found in the desert flats,
    punctuated by creosote bush and mesquite, as well as sacahuista,
    lechuguilla, and ferns. In the Sierra de las Uvas Mountains, black grama
    grasslands appear on the mesas while juniper woodlands and Chihuahuan
    vegetation give way to higher elevation montane communities. Formed by a
    series of alluvial fans, bajadas extend out from the base of the area's
    mountains and provide purchase for oak species, Mexican buckeye, prickly
    pears, white fir, willow, catsclaw mimosa, sotol, agave, ocotillo,
    flowering cactus, barrel cactus, brickellbush, and tarbush. The Potrillo
    Mountains are home to desert shrub communities that also include
    soaptree yucca and four winged saltbush.
    These species are emblematic of the Chihuahuan Desert, and the diversity
    of plant and animal communities found here is stunning. The transitions
    among vegetation zones found in the Sierra de las Uvas and Potrillos
    make this area an important resource for ecological research. Similarly,
    the Do[ntilde]a Ana Mountains abut one of the Nation's long-term
    ecological research areas, making them an important feature of many
    studies in wildlife biology, botany, and ecology.
    The Organ Mountains are home to alligator juniper, gray oak, and
    mountain mahogany, as well as the endemic Organ Mountain evening
    primrose, Organ Mountains giant hyssop, Organ Mountains paintbrush,
    Organ Mountains pincushion cactus, Organ Mountain figwort, Organ
    Mountains scaleseed, night-blooming cereus, Plank's Catchfly, and
    nodding cliff daisy, and likely the endangered Sneed's pincushion
    cactus.
    The area also supports diverse wildlife. Across the Organ Mountains-
    Desert Peaks landscape, many large mammal species can be found, such as
    mountain lions, coyotes, and mule deer. The Organ Mountains were also
    historically home to desert bighorn sheep. Raptors such as the golden
    eagle, red-tailed hawk, and endangered Aplomado falcon soar above the
    area's grasslands and foothills, where they prey on a variety of mice,
    rock squirrels, and other rodents, including the Organ Mountains
    chipmunk.
    The area's exceptional animal diversity also includes many migratory and
    grassland song birds and a stunning variety of reptiles, such as black-
    tailed, western diamondback, and banded rock rattlesnakes; whipsnakes
    and bullsnakes; and tree, earless, Madrean alligator, and checkered
    whiptail lizards. Birds such as Gambel's quail, black-throated sparrow,
    ladder-backed woodpecker, verdin, black-tailed

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    gnatcatcher, lesser nighthawk, Scott's oriole, and cactus wren also make
    their homes here, along with many species of bats. Other mammals,
    including black-tailed jackrabbits, cactus mice, and kangaroo rats,
    inhabit the area. One of several species of rare terrestrial snails in
    the area, the Organ Mountain talussnail, is also endemic.
    The protection of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area will preserve
    its cultural, prehistoric, and historic legacy and maintain its diverse
    array of natural and scientific resources, ensuring that the
    prehistoric, historic, and scientific values of this area remain for the
    benefit of all Americans.
    WHEREAS section 2 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C.
    431) (the ``Antiquities Act'') authorizes the President, in his
    discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks,
    historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or
    scientific interest that are situated upon the lands owned or controlled
    by the Government of the United States to be national monuments, and to
    reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which in all
    cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper
    care and management of the objects to be protected;
    WHEREAS it is in the public interest to preserve the objects of
    scientific and historic interest on the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks
    lands;
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
    America, by the authority vested in me by section 2 of the Antiquities
    Act, hereby proclaim the objects identified above that are situated upon
    lands and interests in lands owned or controlled by the Government of
    the United States to be the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National
    Monument (monument) and, for the purpose of protecting those objects,
    reserve as part thereof all lands and interests in lands owned or
    controlled by the Government of the United States within the boundaries
    described on the accompanying map, which is attached to and forms a part
    of this proclamation. These reserved Federal lands and interests in
    lands encompass approximately 496,330 acres, which is the smallest area
    compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be
    protected.
    All Federal lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of the
    monument are hereby appropriated and withdrawn from all forms of entry,
    location, selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under the
    public land laws, including withdrawal from location, entry, and patent
    under the mining laws, and from disposition under all laws relating to
    mineral and geothermal leasing, other than by exchange that furthers the
    protective purposes of the monument.
    The establishment of the monument is subject to valid existing rights.
    Lands and interests in lands within the monument's boundaries not owned
    or controlled by the United States shall be reserved as part of the
    monument upon acquisition of ownership or control by the United States.
    The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) shall manage the monument
    through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a unit of the National
    Landscape Conservation System, pursuant to applicable legal authorities,
    including, as applicable, the provisions of section 603 of the Federal
    Land Policy and Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1782) governing

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    the management of wilderness study areas, to protect the objects
    identified above.
    For purposes of protecting and restoring the objects identified above,
    the Secretary, through the BLM, shall prepare and maintain a management
    plan for the monument and shall provide for maximum public involvement
    in the development of that plan including, but not limited to,
    consultation with tribal, State, and local governments.
    Except for emergency or authorized administrative purposes, motorized
    vehicle use in the monument shall be permitted only on designated roads,
    and non-motorized mechanized vehicle use shall be permitted only on
    roads and trails designated for their use; provided, however, that
    nothing in this provision shall be construed to restrict the use of
    motorized vehicles in wilderness study areas beyond the requirements of
    section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. No additional
    roads or trails shall be established for motorized vehicle or non-
    motorized mechanized vehicle use unless necessary for public safety or
    protection of the objects identified above.
    Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to preclude the
    Secretary from renewing or authorizing the upgrading of existing utility
    line rights-of-way within the physical scope of each such right-of-way
    that exists on the date of this proclamation. Other rights-of-way shall
    be authorized only if they are necessary for the care and management of
    the objects identified above. However, watershed restoration projects
    and small-scale flood prevention projects may be authorized if they are
    consistent with the care and management of such objects.
    Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to enlarge or diminish the
    rights of any Indian tribe or pueblo. The Secretary shall, in
    consultation with Indian tribes, ensure the protection of religious and
    cultural sites in the monument and provide access to the sites by
    members of Indian tribes for traditional cultural and customary uses,
    consistent with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (92 Stat. 469,
    42 U.S.C. 1996) and Executive Order 13007 of May 24, 1996 (Indian Sacred
    Sites).
    Laws, regulations, and policies followed by the BLM in issuing and
    administering grazing permits or leases on lands under its jurisdiction
    shall continue to apply with regard to the lands in the monument,
    consistent with the protection of the objects identified above.
    Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to enlarge or diminish the
    jurisdiction of the State of New Mexico, including its jurisdiction and
    authority with respect to fish and wildlife management.
    Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to affect the provisions of
    the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of
    Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S.
    Department of Agriculture regarding ``Cooperative National Security and
    Counterterrorism Efforts on Federal Lands along the United States'
    Borders.''
    Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to revoke any existing
    withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation; however, the monument shall
    be the dominant reservation.
    Nothing in this proclamation shall preclude low level overflights of
    military aircraft, the designation of new units of special use airspace,

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    or the use or establishment of military flight training routes over the
    lands reserved by this proclamation.
    Warning is hereby given to all unauthorized persons not to appropriate,
    injure, destroy, or remove any feature of the monument and not to locate
    or settle upon any of the lands thereof.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of
    May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
    eighth.
    BARACK OBAMA

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