Pinnacles National Park Designation Passes Senate

SOLEDAD (CBS/AP) -- A bill designating central California's Pinnacles National Monument a national park is awaiting President Barack Obama's signature.

The Pinnacles National Park Act, designed to raise the profile of the sanctuary's towering rock formations and caves, was passed by the Senate during a rare Sunday session. The House approved it in July.

President Theodore Roosevelt designated the 26,000-acre Pinnacles site a national monument in 1908.

Sen. Barbara Boxer sponsored the bill with fellow California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Boxer tells the Los Angeles Times that national park designation will give the site near Soledad the recognition it deserves as well as boost tourism.

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