| Cascade - Siskiyou National Monument was created to protect an array of biological, geological, hydrological, archeological and historic resources. Although important individually, collectively these resources comprise a unique, diverse ecosystem. The guiding principles for management of the CSNM are to protect, maintain, restore or enhance relevant and important resources. This monument is also best characterized by its outstanding biological diversity. A tremendous variety of plants and animals make homes amidst the towering forests, sunlit groves, wildflower-strewn meadows, and steep canyons. The Monument is also a bird haven, with more than 200 species identified, including the Northern Spotted Owl, the Great Gray Owl, the Peregrine Falcon and the Willow Flycatcher. There are some threats to this monument such as: environmentally harmful roads and jeep trails, cattle grazing, logging, and lack of funds to acquire privately owned land within the Monument boundaries from willing sellers. To protect the monument there are approximately 32,000 acres of private land interspersed with the 53,000 acres of Monument lands, creating a checkerboard pattern of private and public lands--the result of a 19th century system of Congressional land grants to stimulate settlement, and subsequent railroad easement rights. Private lands within this boundary are not included in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Acquiring some of those key lands from willing sellers is a priority for both the BLM and conservationists, to minimize logging, grazing, and development within the most sensitive areas. However, the BLM lacks funding to acquire critical lands, which timber companies are very willing to sell. |
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