Rattlesnake Tours Cancelled
Tours of the Rattlesnake Mountain unit of the Hanford Reach National Monument, scheduled for October 9, 2009, have been cancelled until further notice, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today.
The tours were scheduled under the assumption they were addressed in the Monument's approved management plan. After further analysis, Monument officials determined the plan did not adequately meet the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act as it relates to Rattlesnake Mountain and public access. The Preservation Act is intended to ensure that cultural and historic sites are protected.
"We deeply regret the cancellation of the tours," said Greg Hughes, Project Leader of the Mid-Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes the Hanford Reach Monument. "We in the Fish and Wildlife Service share the appreciation our community holds for Rattlesnake Mountain, and we will work to ensure the area's cultural sites and integrity continue to be protected."
Over the next year the Service will develop a cultural resources management plan to address future activities on the Monument's Rattlesnake Mountain unit.
The opportunity for self-guided tours of open areas of the Hanford Reach National Monument on October 9 is still available. For more information visit: http://www.fws.gov/hanfordreach.
The tours were scheduled under the assumption they were addressed in the Monument's approved management plan. After further analysis, Monument officials determined the plan did not adequately meet the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act as it relates to Rattlesnake Mountain and public access. The Preservation Act is intended to ensure that cultural and historic sites are protected.
"We deeply regret the cancellation of the tours," said Greg Hughes, Project Leader of the Mid-Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes the Hanford Reach Monument. "We in the Fish and Wildlife Service share the appreciation our community holds for Rattlesnake Mountain, and we will work to ensure the area's cultural sites and integrity continue to be protected."
Over the next year the Service will develop a cultural resources management plan to address future activities on the Monument's Rattlesnake Mountain unit.
The opportunity for self-guided tours of open areas of the Hanford Reach National Monument on October 9 is still available. For more information visit: http://www.fws.gov/hanfordreach.
