LOS ANGELES (AP) — President Joe Biden has confirmed the establishment of two new national monuments in California, honoring Native American tribes as he aims to conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 through his “America the Beautiful” initiative. The proclamations, expected to be signed soon, will create the Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California, near Joshua Tree National Park, and the Sáttítla National Monument in Northern California.

These national monuments will prohibit drilling, mining, and other forms of development on approximately 624,000 acres (2,400 square kilometers) for Chuckwalla, and around 225,000 acres (800 square kilometers) near the Oregon border for Sáttítla, thereby protecting clean water resources vital to local communities and honoring areas of cultural significance to Indigenous peoples.

Biden's announcement comes as he meets with victims’ families from recent attacks and prepares for his upcoming trip to Los Angeles and the Eastern Coachella Valley. Alongside these measures, he has also announced a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters, including the West Coast, aimed at thwarting potential expansions initiated by the next administration.

The Biden administration's commitment to conservation is part of its broader “America the Beautiful” initiative, which seeks to address climate change, enhance tribal heritage, and uphold federal goals for land and water conservation.

The Pit River Tribe, who have advocated for the designation of the Sáttítla National Monument, regard this area as a spiritual center. It encompasses diverse ecosystems, including mountain woodlands and meadows that shelter rare species of flora and fauna. Meanwhile, the Chuckwalla designation has garnered support not only from the local tribes but also from environmental groups that have pushed for its recognition since early 2023.

"The designation of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments in California marks an historic step toward protecting lands of profound cultural, ecological, and historical significance for all Americans,” remarked Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of the Trust for Public Land. She emphasized that these national monuments will help address historical injustices and contribute to a more inclusive narrative of American history.

Furthermore, the establishment of these monuments is seen as an opportunity to honor tribal sovereignty by including local tribes as co-stewards of the land. This approach mirrors recent initiatives like the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, where tribal nations collaborate in oversight.

The Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe expressed their sentiments with a statement saying, “The protection of the Chuckwalla National Monument brings the Quechan people an overwhelming sense of peace and joy. Tribes being reunited as stewards of this landscape is only the beginning of much-needed healing and restoration.”

This initiative follows earlier expansions of the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain national monuments, as well as the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, which reflects a growing recognition of tribal rights and environmental stewardship.

Source: AP News | Source: VOA News