Creation of the California Coastal National Monument

On January 11th, 2000, Former President Bill Clinton made and signed Proclamation 7264, which established the California Coastal National Monument. The monument, which spanned along the entire coastline of California and as many as 20,000 rocks and islands, was said to, “overwhelm the viewer” with its beauty. It was also stated that, “ Amidst that beauty lies irreplaceable scientific values vital to protecting the fragile ecosystems of the California coastline”. The monument was noted for its biological treasures, unique habitats, vegetative diversity, and its importance in the forage and breeding habitat for several mammal species, including the Californian sea lion, and over 200,000 breeding seabirds, many of which were endangered and threatened.

Read the full proclamation here.