LEGISLATION HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO CONVERT PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT INTO A NATIONAL PARK. ALTHOUGH PRESIDENTS CAN DESIGNATE A NATIONAL MONUMENT (AS PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT DID IN 1908 WITH THE PINNACLES), IT TAKES AN ACT OF CONGRESS TO CREATE A NATIONAL PARK. LOCAL LEGISLATORS HOPE THE MORE PRESTIGIOUS “NATIONAL PARK” STATUS MIGHT INCREASE THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE 26 THOUSAND ACRE FEDERAL LANDMARK, WHICH STRADDLES THE MONTEREY – SAN BENITO COUNTY LINE.
