What criteria did the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force apply to select replacement names under Secretary’s Order 3404?
A list of five candidate names for each geographic feature was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey as directed by Secretary's Order 3404. The candidate replacement names were derived through a search of nearby named geographic features until at least five nearby names were available. The candidate replacement name will replace the derogatory modifier. For example, “Castle Creek” is the nearest named feature to “Sq___ Mesa”. The first candidate replacement name for the derogatory named feature would be “Castle Mesa.” (Please note the feature type (i.e., mesa) will not change). Proposed additional candidate names will also be accepted during the public comment period. The Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force will also prioritize for consideration any proposals for sq___ name changes that were received by the BGN before 1/24/2022 or submitted during the public comment or Tribal consultation period. Replacement names, to the extent possible, shall adhere to the Board on Geographic Names Principles, Policies and Procedures for the Domestic Names Committee
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How did the Secretary’s Order 3404 Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force reach a final decision on replacement names?
Secretary's Order 3404 outlined a process that concluded in 2022. The Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force reviewed all candidate names, including those generated by the U.S. Geological Survey, received by the Board on Geographic Names (BGN) as part of a formal proposal prior to January 24, 2022, or contributed through a public comment period (February 23 to April 25, 2022) or Tribal...
How were states involved in the process to respond to Secretary’s Order 3404?
Each state has a state naming authority responsible for management of geographic names within its boundaries. Several of these authorities initiated efforts to generate possible replacement names, or advised stakeholders to submit recommendations directly to the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force during the public comment period.
What words are considered “Derogatory” under Secretary’s Orders 3404 and 3405?
Secretary's Order 3404 and the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force considered only the word “sq___” to be within its scope. Secretary’s Order 3405 , also issued on November 19, 2021, created an Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names for DOI to receive input from interested parties regarding additional derogatory terms; derogatory terms applied to federal land units; and to...
Do Secretary’s Orders 3404 and 3405 affect street names or street signs?
No. The names of cultural or man-made features, such as roads, streets, shopping centers, churches, schools, hospitals and airports are not under the Board on Geographic Names’ (BGN’s) purview. The naming and renaming of these entities are the responsibility of the agency or office that manages them.
What criteria did the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force apply to select replacement names under Secretary’s Order 3404?
A list of five candidate names for each geographic feature was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey as directed by Secretary's Order 3404 . The candidate replacement names were derived through a search of nearby named geographic features until at least five nearby names were available. The candidate replacement name will replace the derogatory modifier. For example, “Castle Creek” is the...
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- FAQ
How did the Secretary’s Order 3404 Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force reach a final decision on replacement names?
Secretary's Order 3404 outlined a process that concluded in 2022. The Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force reviewed all candidate names, including those generated by the U.S. Geological Survey, received by the Board on Geographic Names (BGN) as part of a formal proposal prior to January 24, 2022, or contributed through a public comment period (February 23 to April 25, 2022) or Tribal...
How were states involved in the process to respond to Secretary’s Order 3404?
Each state has a state naming authority responsible for management of geographic names within its boundaries. Several of these authorities initiated efforts to generate possible replacement names, or advised stakeholders to submit recommendations directly to the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force during the public comment period.
What words are considered “Derogatory” under Secretary’s Orders 3404 and 3405?
Secretary's Order 3404 and the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force considered only the word “sq___” to be within its scope. Secretary’s Order 3405 , also issued on November 19, 2021, created an Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names for DOI to receive input from interested parties regarding additional derogatory terms; derogatory terms applied to federal land units; and to...
Do Secretary’s Orders 3404 and 3405 affect street names or street signs?
No. The names of cultural or man-made features, such as roads, streets, shopping centers, churches, schools, hospitals and airports are not under the Board on Geographic Names’ (BGN’s) purview. The naming and renaming of these entities are the responsibility of the agency or office that manages them.
What criteria did the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force apply to select replacement names under Secretary’s Order 3404?
A list of five candidate names for each geographic feature was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey as directed by Secretary's Order 3404 . The candidate replacement names were derived through a search of nearby named geographic features until at least five nearby names were available. The candidate replacement name will replace the derogatory modifier. For example, “Castle Creek” is the...