Similarly Designated Lands
Among other designations, the National Conservation Lands include national conservation areas and three categories of similarly designated lands created by Congress to conserve, protect, enhance, and manage public lands for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The three categories of similar congressional designations are described below.
Cooperative Management and Protection Areas
The cooperative management and protection area (CMPA) designation was established by Congress to conserve, protect, and manage the long-term ecological integrity of special landscapes for future and present generations. This designation seeks to maintain and enhance cooperative and innovative management projects, programs, and agreements between tribal, public, and private interests. The BLM manages the only CMPA in the nation. The
Steens Mountain CMPA in eastern Oregon was established by Congress in 2000 to conserve and protect the area's ecological, social, and economic resources.
Outstanding Natural Areas
The Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) designation was established by Congress primarily to protect unique scenic, scientific, educational, and recreational values. Recreation activities center on those that foster education and interpretation of the ONA's unique resources. The first of the BLM's three ONAs, Oregon's Yaquina Head ONA , was established by Congress in 1980. In May of 2008, Congress designated two more: Florida's Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA and California's Piedras Blancas Light Station ONA .
Forest Reserves
The forest reserve (FR) designation was established to protect and help recover populations of threatened and endangered species, as well as additional species that may become listed in the future. Scientific research is promoted to expand current knowledge of forest reserve resources. The BLM's first and only forest reserve is the
Headwaters Forest Reserve in northern California. It was established by Congress in 1999, in cooperation with the State of California, to protect an old-growth redwood forest acquired from private interests.
BLM-managed areas falling under these categories are listed below by designation type.