The White House stated Tuesday that President Joe Biden is creating two new national monuments in California that would celebrate Native American tribes as part of his “America the Beautiful” project, which aims to preserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
The S tt tla National Monument in Northern California and the Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California, close to Joshua Tree National Park, will be established by proclamations that will be signed on Tuesday. Drilling, mining, and other activities are prohibited on the 624,000-acre (2,400-square-kilometer) Chuckwalla site and around 225,000 acres (800 square kilometers) in Northern California near the Oregon border.
According to the White House, the new monuments would improve access to environment, preserve clean water for communities, and celebrate locations that hold cultural value for Indigenous peoples and tribal countries.
Biden, who has two weeks left in office, met with the relatives of those killed in the New Year’s attack in New Orleans on Monday before traveling to Los Angeles and the Eastern Coachella Valley on Tuesday.
Biden declared on Monday that he will prohibit new offshore drilling for gas and oil in the majority of the coastal seas in the United States, including California and other West Coast states. The strategy aims to thwart any potential attempts to increase offshore drilling by the incoming Trump administration.
The surge of activity has been consistent with the Democratic president’s 2021 “America the Beautiful” agenda, which includes combating climate change, preserving 30% of public lands and rivers by 2030, and respecting indigenous traditions.
The Pit River Tribe has been attempting to get the S tt tla National Monument designated by the federal government. The region, which includes mountain woods and meadows with uncommon flowers and wildlife, is a spiritual hub for the Pit River and Modoc Tribes.
In early 2023, Biden was pushed by several environmental organizations and Native American tribes to create the Chuckwalla National Monument, which bears the name of the huge desert lizard. Public lands south of Joshua Tree National Park, from the Coachella Valley region in the west to the area close to the Colorado River, would be protected by the monument.
Proponents claim that the monument will conserve military historical sites, guarantee local residents’ access to nature, and maintain a tribal cultural landscape.
Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of the organization Trust for Public Land, said, “The designation of the Chuckwalla and S tt tla National Monuments in California marks a historic step toward protecting lands of profound cultural, ecological, and historical significance for all Americans.”
According to Hauser, the new monuments “honor the enduring stewardship of Tribal Nations and the tireless efforts of local communities and conservation advocates who fought to safeguard these irreplaceable landscapes for future generations.”
According to her, national monuments like Chuckwalla and STT-TLA are essential for correcting historical wrongs and guaranteeing a more inclusive account of American history.
In keeping with a recent trend of monuments like Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument, which is managed in collaboration with five tribal nations, the Chuckwalla monument aims to respect tribal sovereignty by involving local tribes as co-stewards.
The Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe released a statement saying, “The Quechan people feel an overwhelming sense of peace and joy from the protection of the Chuckwalla National Monument.” “Tribes being reunited as stewards of this landscape is only the beginning of much-needed healing and restoration, and we are eager to fully rebuild our relationship to this place.”
The Biden administration extended two California national monuments in May: Berryessa Snow Mountain in the north and the San Gabriel Mountains in the south. Along the central California coast, Biden proclaimed the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in October. The Chumash tribes will have a say in how the region is conserved.
Under a historic memorandum of understanding signed by the Yurok Tribe, Redwood National and State Parks, and the nonprofit Save the Redwoods League, which is transferring the land to the tribe, the tribe in Northern California also became the first Native people to manage tribal land with the National Park Service last year.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.