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Difference between revisions of "Westarctican Parks Service"
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National Parks are to be considered the "crown jewels" of Westarctican conservation and receive the highest level of inherent protections and preservation. Special consideration is to be taken to balance conservation concerns with the potential impacts of ecotourism that accompanies national parks worldwide. National parks can only be created via legislation. When created by "upgrading" an existing monument or conservation zone, a veto by the Sovereign can be overridden. When legislation attempts to create a new protected site or reworks the boundaries of existing sites within the WPS, a potential Sovereign veto cannot be overridden. | National Parks are to be considered the "crown jewels" of Westarctican conservation and receive the highest level of inherent protections and preservation. Special consideration is to be taken to balance conservation concerns with the potential impacts of ecotourism that accompanies national parks worldwide. National parks can only be created via legislation. When created by "upgrading" an existing monument or conservation zone, a veto by the Sovereign can be overridden. When legislation attempts to create a new protected site or reworks the boundaries of existing sites within the WPS, a potential Sovereign veto cannot be overridden. | ||
On 1 June 2025, legislation was introduced in the [[Senate of Westarctica]] to create the first National Park. The bill was introduced by Senator Hann Dougie, after collaborating with the WPS to finalize the language. This [[Westarctican Ordinance]] combined the the [[The Billboard|Billboard National Monument]] and the [[Boyd Glacier|Boyd Glacier Conservation Zone]] into one National Park. | |||
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! Name || Date Established || Area || Description | |||
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| <br><center>[[Boyd Glacier National Park]]<br>[[File:The Billboard1 - Sarnoff mts.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center><br>|| 10 June 2025 || 453,700 acres<br>(1,836 sq. km) || Protects a significant glacial formation in Westarctica, which studies show is among the nation's more stable. as well as the [[The Billboard|Billboard]], which is one of Westarctica's most iconic features, as well as a portion of the surrounding [[Sarnoff Mountains]]. | |||
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===National Monuments=== | ===National Monuments=== | ||
National Monuments are sites that warrant protections, though with fewer conservation concerns than those of a national park. This can be due to lower levels of ecotourism, having a less fragile ecological or scientific significance, or the preservation primarily for historical reasons. A monument can be declared via decree by the Sovereign or via legislative process (which cannot override Sovereign veto). | National Monuments are sites that warrant protections, though with fewer conservation concerns than those of a national park. This can be due to lower levels of ecotourism, having a less fragile ecological or scientific significance, or the preservation primarily for historical reasons. A monument can be declared via decree by the Sovereign or via legislative process (which cannot override Sovereign veto). | ||
Westarctica currently has | Westarctica currently has 1 National Monument. This list is complete as of 10 June 2025. | ||
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! Name || Date Established || Area || Description | ! Name || Date Established || Area || Description | ||
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| <br><center>[[Gothic National Monument]]<br>[[File:Gothic-Mountains.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center><br> || 20 April 2025 || 3,403,000 acres<br>(13,925 sq. km) || Preserves the Westarctican portion of the [[Gothic Mountains]], one of Antarctica's most geologically distinct mountain ranges. This includes the Westarctican Organ Pipes. The monument also preserves a number of surrounding mountains and glaciers in the area. | | <br><center>[[Gothic National Monument]]<br>[[File:Gothic-Mountains.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center><br> || 20 April 2025 || 3,403,000 acres<br>(13,925 sq. km) || Preserves the Westarctican portion of the [[Gothic Mountains]], one of Antarctica's most geologically distinct mountain ranges. This includes the Westarctican Organ Pipes. The monument also preserves a number of surrounding mountains and glaciers in the area. | ||
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Conservation Zones carry the lowest inherent protections under Westarctican Law, but can be tightened to be significantly higher than that of even a national park on a case-by-case basis. These sites also have the lowest public access interest. A conservation zone can be declared via decree by the Sovereign or via legislative process (which cannot override Sovereign veto). | Conservation Zones carry the lowest inherent protections under Westarctican Law, but can be tightened to be significantly higher than that of even a national park on a case-by-case basis. These sites also have the lowest public access interest. A conservation zone can be declared via decree by the Sovereign or via legislative process (which cannot override Sovereign veto). | ||
Westarctica currently has | Westarctica currently has 2 Conservation Zones. This list is complete as of 10 June 2025. | ||
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! Name || Date Established || Area || Description | ! Name || Date Established || Area || Description | ||
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| <br><center>[[McHenry Range Conservation Zone]]<br>[[File:Mount Sidley.png|frameless|upright=.9]]</center><br> || 20 April 2025 || 40,700 acres<br>(164.7 sq. km) || The zone outlines the boundaries of the [[McHenry Range]], which are valuable for the study of deep-earth magma activity in polar areas. The zone includes [[Mount Sidley]], the tallest mountain in Westarctica and the tallest volcano on the continent. | | <br><center>[[McHenry Range Conservation Zone]]<br>[[File:Mount Sidley.png|frameless|upright=.9]]</center><br> || 20 April 2025 || 40,700 acres<br>(164.7 sq. km) || The zone outlines the boundaries of the [[McHenry Range]], which are valuable for the study of deep-earth magma activity in polar areas. The zone includes [[Mount Sidley]], the tallest mountain in Westarctica and the tallest volcano on the continent. | ||