PRESERVATION OF GEOLOGICAL SITES AS NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS

The National Historic Landmarks Survey of the National Park Service has the responsibility for the identification of America's nationally significant historic property. The survey meets this obligation through a comprehensive process involving thematic study of the facets of American History.

In 1989 the National Park Service started the Geology National Historic Landmark Theme Study as part of the study of American Science. The Geology Theme Study was completed by the National Park Service in compliance with the requirements of the Historic Sites Act of l935. The Historic Sites Act established "a national policy to preserve for public use historic sites, buildings and objects of national significance for the inspiration and benefit of the American people." Under the terms of the Act, the service is required to survey, study, protect, preserve, maintain, or operate nationally significant historic buildings, sites & objects.

As a result of this effort more than 20 sites important in the history of American Geology were identified and listed as National Historic Landmarks. This paper will examine this process and the effort to identify additional geological sites to ensure their preservation and interpretation of these sites for the American people.