Executive Order 779

It is hereby ordered that all islands embraced within the group known as the Dry Tortugas, located in the Gulf of Mexico, near the western extremity of the Florida Keys, approximately in latitude twenty-four degrees, thirty-eight minutes north, longitude eighty-two degrees, fifty-two minutes west from Greenwich, and situated within the area segregated by a broken line upon the diagram hereto attached and made a part of this order, are hereby reserved and set aside for the use of the Department of Agriculture as a preserve and breeding-ground for native birds; but the reservation made by this order is not intended to interfere with the use of these islands for necessary military purposes under the Executive Order of September 17, 1845, creating the Dry Tortugas Military Reservation, nor to, in any manner, vacate such order, except that such military use shall not extend to the occupation of the islet known as Bird Key. This reservation to be known as Tortugas Keys Reservation.

Theodore Roosevelt.

The White House,

April 6, 1908.