1.   An act of Congress is required for the designation of a national park or national forest, steps that could carry somewhat more protection than monument status.

2.   All the lands under consideration are managed by the land bureau, but monument status would add access restrictions and ensure that they cannot be developed or sold.

3.   But for tactical reasons, Clinton may be justified in not pushing for monument status, however attractive as a matter of principle.

4.   But some cattlemen fear that monument status will prevent them from running their ranches as they see fit.

5.   Clinton can grant monument status through executive order without congressional approval.

6.   Environmentalists, as well as former President Jimmy Carter, had urged Clinton to extend the monument status to the refuge.

7.   Land that has been given monument status may no longer be used for any purpose or in any way that would change its character.

8.   Monument status protects cultural resources, such as archaeological ruins, on federal land and restricts commercial uses.

9.   Monument status would protect the areas from recreational and commercial overuse.

10.   Environmentalists have pressed Clinton to declare monument status for the coastal plain to ensure its permanent protection from oil development.