All of the remains of America's Apollo missions to the moon left on the lunar surface --- but hardly any of the moon's natural resources --- would receive national protections under a new plan to establish a national park there.
Legislation introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this week by backed by Texas Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and fellow Democrat Rep. Donna Edwards from Maryland would protect artifacts left on the moon from Apollo missions 11 through 17 --- but wouldn't extend protections to any ground on the moon, except for Neil Armstrong's first footprints on the dusty surface.
The bill would require the government seek designation of Neil Armstrong's first footprints on the moon as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.
"In light of other nations and private entities developing the ability to go to the moon, the United States must be proactive in protecting artifacts left by the seven Apollo lunar landings," Johnson said in a written statement.
A spokeswoman for the Democrats on the House Science Committee explained that if the designation is approved, those who take or damage artifacts on the moon would be subject to punishment under the same laws as those who take or damage property in national parks.
Of course, the proposed protections would be would be hard to enforce, said Johnson, who acknowledged the oddity of a lunar national historical park. But, she added, offering legal protection for the objects left there is important.
"I don't think that there is anything far-fetched about protecting and preserving such irreplaceable items and such a hallowed place," she said.
The committee spokeswoman said the head of the Russian space agency, Vladimir Popovkin, has also called for protection of relics from the first manned missions to the moon.
The bill has been referred to both the House Science Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee.
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