Craters of the Moon National Monument: Scope of Collection Statement

Clark, David

Craters of the Moon National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation on May 2, 1924. The purpose of the monument is based on the following relevant portions of the proclamation, Public Law (No. 1694-May 2, 1924-43 Stat. 1947) establishing Craters of the Moon National Monument. The proclamation states "an area of which contains a remarkable fissure eruption together with its associated volcanic cones, craters, rifts, lava flows, caves, natural bridges, and other phenomena characteristic of volcanic action which are of unusual scientific value and general interest; and whereas, this area contains many curious and unusual phenomena of great educational value ••• set apart as a National Monument." The 1984 Resource Management Plan states, "The establishment and continued upkeep of a valid museum collection is essential to the implementation of the entire resource management plan." This plan contains the following goals relative to museum collections: "Essential to preservation and use of the Monument is the identification and documentation of all resources and their existing conditions …The need is for a project to identify, inventory and document the existing condition of the natural resources." "The cultural and historic record of the area has never been documented. When this resource knowledge has been collected and assimilated, not only will their preservation be assured, but management actions will reflect consideration as per requirements." "NPS-28 and 36 CFR 800 also require the establishment of data relative to archeological resources as necessary for the management of these resources in normal park activities." "Current scientific use of museum specimens indicate that management guidelines need to be developed in order to allow the collection to be used effectively in providing information for management questions in research, interpretation, and resource protection decisions." Concerning the interpretive themes of the Monument, the 1985 Statement for Management describes the management objective of interpretation as being "to foster an understanding and appreciation of the environmental forces that formed the present-day landscape of the Snake River Plain as well as an understanding of the plants and animals which have adapted to this harsh habitat". The 1984 Statement for Interpretation lists, in order of priority, the following interpretive themes: 1. Developing a visitor's understanding and appreciation of the geological, biological and ecological process represented at Craters of the Moon. 2. Developing a visitor awareness as to what his and the NPS roles are in the continued preservation of the Monument and other natural communities. 3. Creating an awareness in the visitor as to what safety hazards are present and how these may be avoided. 4. Dispersing information which will give the visitor a better understanding of park management policies and practices. 5. Developing a visitors understanding of the significance of the Shoshoni Indians, early explorers and pioneers within the Monument and surrounding regions. Other legislation and regulations pertinent to the museum collections would include the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, Lacey Act (1942), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918), Bald Eagle Protection Act (1940), Endangered Species Act (1973), 43 CFR Part 7, and 36 CFR, Section 2.5 (revised 1984). The collection will be maintained in a manner consistent with the intent of the enabling legislation and in accordance with subsequent legislation and with current curatorial policies and procedures. It should reflect and support the interpretive themes and Resource Management Plan of the Monument.

Craters of the Moon National Monument: Scope of Collection Statement

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