Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 6.djvu/823

 PROCLAMATION 6457—JULY 14, 1992 106 STAT. 5381 Proclamation 6457 of July 14, 1992 Giant Sequoia in National Forests By the President of the United states of America A Proclamation For centuries, groves of the Giant Sequoia have stimulated the interest and wonder of those who behold them. The Giant Sequoia is a tree that inspires emotion like no other and has mystically entered the hearts of humanity everywhere. Ancestors of Giant Sequoia trees have existed on Earth for more than 20 million years. Naturally occurring oldgrowth Giant Sequoia groves located in the Sequoia, Sierra, and Tahoe National Forests in California are unique national treasures that are being managed for biodiversity, perpetuation of the species, public inspiration, and spiritual, aesthetic, recreational, ecological, and scientific value. This Nation's Giant Sequoia groves are legacies that deserve special attention and protection for future generations. It is my hope that these natural gifts will continue to provide aesthetic value and inspiration for our children, grandchildren, and generations yet to come. So as to promote greater appreciation and awareness of our Giant Sequoia groves, such groves in the Sequoia, Sierra, and Tahoe National Forests should continue to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture as unique objects of beauty and antiquity for the benefit and inspiration of all people. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH. President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim that naturally occurring old-growth Giant Sequoia groves within the Sequoia, Sierra, and Tahoe National Forests in the State of California shall be managed, protected, and restored by the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to assure the perpetuation of the groves for the benefit and enjoy- ment of present and future generations. The Secretary of Agriculture is directed to delineate the location of such Giant Sequoia groves, as set forth in the Sequoia National Forest Mediated Settlement Agreement, and subsequently to provide the Secretary of the Interior with a list of the designated groves and with a description of the boundaries of each of the groves. The Secretary of the Interior is hereby directed, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to segregate immediately and subsequently to withdraw the designated groves from all forms of location and entry under the general mining laws, and from any disposition under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws and laws pertaining to the disposal of mineral material, subject to valid existing rights. The designated Giant Sequoia groves shall not be managed for timber production and shall not be included in the land base used to establish the allowable sale quantities for the affected national forests. The designated Giant Sequoia groves shall be protected as natural areas with minimal development. Consistent with the best scientific information available, the Secretary of Agriculture shall assure that any proposed development shall provide for aesthetic, recreational, ecological, and scientific value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Converse Basin Grove shall be managed as set forth in the Sequoia National Forest Mediated Settlement Agreement.

�