Salazar names 6 new national natural landmarks

Hanging Lake in western Colorado is among six of the newest national natural landmarks designated by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. The others designated Wednesday include Barfoot Park in southern Arizona, Kahlotus Ridgetop in Washington state, Round Top Butte near Medford, Ore., and the Island in Oregon. The Golden Fossil Areas near Golden, Colo., also was designated as an extension to the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark, which will now be known as the Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas National Natural Landmark. Each site was identified through a process that included a scientific evaluation and public comment period to acknowledge each site's unique biological or geological features. No new land-use restrictions will be imposed. There are now 591 national natural landmarks. AP