The monument's enabling legislation, signed on October 23, 1972 by President Richard M. Nixon, set aside for NPS management, a portion of the widespread Green River Formation. The monument's management documents guide the day-to-day operation in the effort "...to preserve for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations outstanding paleontological sites and related geological phenomena, and to provide for the display and interpretation of scientific specimens." The documents listed require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Did You Know?
Fossil Butte National Monument preserves only 1% of the Fossil Lake deposits, the smallest of three ancient lakes that make up the famous Green River Formation.