California tribal representatives are asking President Biden to designate three new national monuments in the Golden State before he leaves office in January.
Some fear that President-elect Donald Trump’s chances of protecting the area from mining, drilling and logging will be minimal.
These are lands that are being sought for national monument status.
The proposed Kutsang National Monument includes 390,000 acres of the tribe’s homeland in Imperial County. The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument includes 644,000 acres of public land in Riverside and Imperial counties, stretching from the Coachella Valley near the Salton Sea to the Colorado River. The proposed Sattitra National Monument includes more than 200,000 acres of land spanning part of the Shasta River. Trinity, Klamath, and Modoc National Forests in northeastern California.
“For us, it’s not just about protecting the environment. Our culture, spirituality and identity are tied to the ecosystems our people have lived in for thousands of years. If mountains are destroyed due to mining or rivers are dried up due to over-extraction, For us, it’s like losing a relative or having someone close to you hurt. We lose a piece of ourselves and our history.” Kwetsan Cultural Commission member, Fort Yuma Kwetsan.・Lena Ortega of the Indian tribe said in a statement.
In August, California Congressmen James Ramos and Eduardo Garcia and state senators Ben Allen and Steve Padilla joined tribal representatives in calling on the Biden administration to take action.
During his first administration, President Trump reduced the boundaries of two Utah national monuments, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase, by 85%. He also removed protections for marine monuments off the coast of New England. The Biden administration reversed those changes.
During his presidency, Biden designated six monuments and expanded four, including expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument near Los Angeles.
Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Ind.), a supporter of the movement, told the Los Angeles Times he was confident Biden would act before leaving office.
Biden could use the Antiquities Act to establish new national monuments through a presidential proclamation.
Opponents say the law is being abused as an unchecked land grab, has vague standards and has been used inappropriately in the past.
