Cultural Resources 

San Juan Islands National Monument RMP 

The San Juan Islands National Monument contains a variety of cultural resources, including archaeological sites, 

Cultural Resources and the Planning Process 

historic lighthouses, and areas of important spiritual and cultural use. Cultural resources are identified, evaluated, 

and protected to conserve their significant cultural, scientific, educational, traditional, and recreational values for 

present and future generations. 

Through the planning process, the BLM will identify the objectives and management direction that will guide 

its stewardship of these important resources over the next 15 to 20 years. This will include exploring different 

management approaches that would be responsive to the types of planning issues described below. We’re requesting 

your help to identify additional planning issues, as well as management approaches that you believe should be 

 

considered to address these issues. (More information on reverse side.) 

Preliminary Planning Issues 

•	 How should cultural resources, including traditional cultural properties, be protected and preserved,

while allowing for appropriate information/education efforts and use? 

•	 Are any additional special designations necessary to support and enhance the protection and

interpretation of these resources? 

•	 What management measures are needed to ensure traditional use of sacred sites or properties of

traditional religious or cultural importance to Native American Tribes may continue?

•	 What is the appropriate balance between visitation, access, and preservation of cultural resources?

•	 What additional plans should be implemented to enhance the protection, interpretation, and use of

these resources? 

San Juan Islands National Monument 

BLM, Lopez Island Office 

P.O. Box 3 

Lopez, WA 98261

mdechade@blm.gov 

Contact us 

What is THE San Juan Islands National Monument RMP? 

The Bureau of Land Management is developing a Resource Management Plan (RMP) 

for the San Juan Islands National Monument which will guide the management of these 

spectacular lands in a manner that ensures the protection of their remarkable cultural, 

historic, and ecological values for the benefit of generations of Americans to come.

news & updates 

Scan our QR Code or visit us at: 

www.blm.gov/SanJuanIslandsNM/RMP 

Or send us an email to: 

blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov 
Cultural Resources in the San Juan Islands National Monument 

Cultural resources include objects and locations associated with human activity, occupation, or 

use. Examples include archaeological, historic, and architectural sites, buildings, and structures, 

as well as places with historical or cultural values and uses, including locations of traditional 

cultural or religious importance to specific social or cultural groups. Cultural resources are 

managed according to their relative importance, to protect historically and culturally significant 

cultural resources from inadvertent loss, destruction, or impairment, and to encourage and 

accommodate the appropriate uses of these resources through planning and public participation. 

Archaeological sites and resources identified within the San Juan Islands National Monument 

include shell middens, rock features, rock shelters, campsites, burials, and areas associated 

with resource use and processing. Historic properties within the National Monument include 

buildings and structures associated with Aids to Navigation, early 20th Century occupation, 

and roads and trails. Prominent historic properties eligible for the National Register of Historic 

Places include Turn Point Light Station on Stuart Island, and Patos Island Light Station on 

Patos Island. Partnerships with nonprofit volunteer organizations, including the Turn Point 

Lighthouse Preservation Society and Keepers of the Patos Light, have been instrumental in 

ongoing maintenance and care of these historic facilities. In addition, properties of traditional 

religious or cultural importance to Native American tribes are located within the National 

Monument where traditional or customary activities may continue to be carried out. 

How Does the Proclamation Address this Resource or Use? 

The proclamation identified the area’s historic and cultural values as among the objects for 

which the National Monument was established and requires the BLM to develop a land use 

plan for the purposes of protecting and restoring these objects. Furthermore, the proclamation 

states that 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 (42 U.S.C. 1996) and Executive Order 13007 of May 24, 1996 (Indian 

Sacred Sites). 

How Does this Resource or Use Fit Into the Planning Process? 

Through the planning effort, the BLM will determine how important cultural resources including 

historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific 

interest situated within the National Monument will be managed for the next 15 to 20 years. 

It will also identify potential impacts to those important cultural and historical resources that 

would be caused by the range of management approaches considered in the planning process.