page_title: Carrizo Plain
section_title: World Heritage Site
hierarchical_section_title: Carrizo Plain / Conservation controversies / World Heritage Site
caption_attribution_description: Known for its beautiful wildflowers, this monument within the BLM’s National Conservation Lands offers so much more. Soda Lake - its centerpiece - is a glistening bed of white salt set within a vast open grassland, rimmed by mountains. The area has been shaped by the San Andreas fault, which can be seen in a subtle alignment of ridges, ravines, and normally dry ponds. And Carrizo Plain is home to many animals with sensitive status. Tule elk and pronghorn antelope have been reintroduced into the area and can be seen at various locations on the plain. Many raptors - including redtail hawks, golden eagles, kites, harriers, and owls - can be found all year. Visitors can take great hikes on walking trails, and explore rock art, geologic formations, historic buildings and ranches, and so much more! This road trip stop is a must for your bucket list - it really does have something for everyone. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM
context_page_description: The Carrizo Plain across, in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, California, about 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Los Angeles. It contains the 246,812-acre (99,881 ha) Carrizo Plain National Monument, and it is the largest single native grassland remaining in California. It includes Painted Rock in the Carrizo Plain Rock Art Discontiguous District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2012 it was further designated a National Historic Landmark due to its archeological value. The San Andreas Fault occurs along the eastern edge of the Carrizo Plain at the western base of the Temblor Range.
context_section_description: The Wilderness Society considered the Carrizo Plain as a nominee for World Heritage Site status.  Only two other locations in California – Redwood National Park and Yosemite National Park – have received this status.  This idea was greatly opposed by The Independent Petroleum Association and the residents of the nearby city of Taft, while supporters of nomination included the City of San Luis Obispo, the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, and the San Luis Obispo Chapter of the League of Women Voters.
  Advantages of World Heritage Site status for the Carrizo Plain might have included increased tourism for the plain and for surrounding areas, as well as increased ability to attract private and public funding for habitat conservation, sustainable tourism, and increased management support.  However, opponents of the nomination were concerned that World Heritage Site status would create problems for oil production, grazing rights, off-road recreation, and private property rights.  One point of controversy was a buffer zone around the monument; opponents expected this would adversely affect nearby oil drilling sites.  Some local residents were also fearful of the international organizations that would monitor and report on the monument's adherence to World Heritage treaty obligations, because maintenance of World Heritage status would depend on compliance with the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, ratified by the United States.  The idea was widespread that the United States would lose sovereignty over the area.
  The Wilderness Society eventually decided not to nominate the Carrizo Plain National Monument as a World Heritage Site, as nominations are successful only if they have almost unanimous support.
caption: Wildflowers in the Carrizo, 2015
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