Other Special Designations

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

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National Landscape Conservation System

Other Special Designations

In addition to National Monuments and National Conservation Areas. the NLCS includes four additional types of specially designated areas.

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 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 Outstanding Natural Area’s unique resources. The BLM's first Outstanding Natural Area, the Yaquina Head ONA, was established by Congress in 1980 along the Oregon coast.

National Recreation Areas

Congress established the National Recreation Area (NRA) designation to protect important recreation, scenic, scientific, and natural values. Recreation activities center on water and land-based activities associated with the natural environment. The White Mountains NRA in Alaska is BLM's first and only National Recreation Area. It was established by Congress in 1980.

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 of old-growth ecosystems that may become listed in the future. Scientific research is promoted to expand the current knowledge of Forest Reserve resources. Recreation activities are focused on education about a Forest Reserve’s unique resources. The Bureau of Land Management’s first and only Forest Reserve is the Headwaters FR 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.

Monuments

Cooperative Management and Protection Area
	Steens Mountian Designated by Congress in 2000, this area consists of 425,000 acres in southeastern Oregon including volcanic uplifts, deep glacially carved gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness, wild rivers, and a rich diversity of plant and animal species
Outstanding Natural Area
	Yaquina Head The centerpiece of this 100-acre area is the historic Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Oregon’s second-oldest continuously operating lighthouse, though this coastal headland is also a popular place for bird watching, whale watching, and tidepool viewing.
National Recreation Area
	White Mountains National Recreation Area The Bureau of Land Management administers the White Mountains National Recreation Area to provide for multiple use of public lands. The area encompasses approximately one million acres and was established in 1980 through the Alaska National interest Lands Conservation Act. It provides recreation opportunities for hiking, camping, river float trips, winter snowmobiling, dog mushing, and cross-country skiing along scenic trails to remote cabins.
Forest Reserve
	Headwaters A 7,400 acre stand of old-growth redwoods and surrounding lands and streams managed to provide habitat for threatened seabirds and threatened native fish species.