President Biden is set to establish two new national monuments in California, honoring tribal heritage and environmental preservation. The Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California spans 600,000 acres and the Sáttítla National Monument in Northern California covers 200,000 acres. These protections are part of Biden's "America the Beautiful" initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of public lands and waters by 2030 and address climate change.
The new designations will prohibit drilling, mining, and development in the designated areas. Advocacy from tribes and environmental groups, including the Pit River Tribe and other Native American tribes, has played a significant role in pushing for these monuments. The monuments also aim to protect significant cultural areas, enhance residents' access to nature, and conserve sites significant in military history. Celebrations from tribal leaders, such as the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe, highlight the importance of these lands for cultural restoration and stewardship.
The legislative push for these monuments aligns with previous expansions in California of the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain national monuments. Additionally, recent collaborative management efforts, such as with the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah and the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, exemplify federal willingness to work with tribes in conserving culturally significant areas. These actions represent a broader shift towards acknowledging and involving indigenous communities in land stewardship. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)