President Joe Biden has confirmed the establishment of two new national monuments in California that will pay tribute to Native American tribes as part of his ambitious conservation goals. The Chuckwalla National Monument, located near Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California, spans over 624,000 acres and the Sáttítla National Monument in Northern California covers approximately 225,000 acres near the Oregon border. These proclamations prohibit drilling, mining, and other forms of development within the designated areas.
The White House stated that the creation of these monuments will safeguard clean water sources for communities, preserve culturally significant areas for tribal nations and Indigenous peoples, and improve access to nature. President Biden, who is nearing the end of his term, is scheduled to visit Los Angeles and the Eastern Coachella Valley to commemorate this significant milestone.
In addition to the monument designations, President Biden also announced a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters, including California, as part of his efforts to combat climate change and protect the environment. These actions align with his 'America the Beautiful' initiative, which aims to conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
The Pit River Tribe played a crucial role in advocating for the Sáttítla National Monument, a region that holds spiritual significance for the Pit River and Modoc Tribes. On the other hand, the Chuckwalla National Monument, named after a desert lizard, was championed by various Native American tribes and environmental groups to safeguard the region's cultural landscape and historical sites.
The establishment of these national monuments signifies a significant step towards protecting lands of profound cultural, ecological, and historical importance for all Americans. By involving local tribes as co-stewards, these monuments aim to honor tribal sovereignty and promote healing and restoration within Indigenous communities.
President Biden's administration has been actively expanding conservation efforts in California, with recent additions such as the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain national monuments. The designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary and the Yurok Tribe's management of tribal land with the National Park Service further demonstrate the administration's commitment to preserving natural and cultural heritage.
