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Treasure Ships, Tropical Fish, And Spanish Galleons: Protecting Natural And Cultural Resourses In The New Marine National Monuments, John F. Johnson

John F Johnson III

President George W. Bush, during the last days of his presidency, created three maritime national monuments in the South Pacific in order to protect the unique environment as well as the cultural treasures. The President only has the authority to establish these monuments, and protect the cultural resources, if the United States “owned or controlled” the land and water. A determination about the United States’ ownership or control requires looking both to national and international law. Ultimately, the United States can only directly protect cultural resources in half the territory of each monument. Yet, since the United States can protect …