Natural Resources Management Plan Buck Island Reef National Monument

National Park Service

Includes 5-year resources programming Sheet, project statements, informational baseline, and environmental assessment. Buck Island Reef National Monument was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. The Proclamation stated that "...Buck Island and its adjoining shoals, rocks, and undersea coral reef formations possess one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea... " From the Statement for Management: "The primary resource at Buck Island is the unique and fragile coral reefs that surround the Island." The draft General Management Plan for BUIS also stresses the value of the Monument's coral Reef ecosystem. Management of the natural resources there is obviously going to be focused on the reef. An underwater trail, heavy boat use, and the presence of endangered species are all items of importance. The purpose of this Plan is to provide managers and research personnel with an overall perspective of resource management problems and solutions at Buck Island Reef National Monument.