President Joe Biden has officially announced the creation of two new national monuments in California, a significant move aimed at honoring Native American tribes and enhancing conservation efforts across the United States. The announcement, confirmed by the White House on Tuesday, aligns with Biden's broader initiative, “America the Beautiful,” which targets the conservation of at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 (AP News, Voice of America).

The proclamations will establish the Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California, situated near Joshua Tree National Park, and the Sáttítla National Monument in Northern California. Together, these sites encompass nearly 849,000 acres, with the Chuckwalla site sized at approximately 624,000 acres and Sáttítla at about 225,000 acres. Both areas will be protected under federal law from activities like drilling and mining, safeguarding critical ecosystems and cultural sites significant to Indigenous communities (AP News).

Advocates have long campaigned for the establishment of these monuments, with the Pit River Tribe and multiple Indigenous organizations pushing for the Sáttítla designation, recognizing its importance as a cultural and spiritual center. In early 2023, tribes began advocating for the Chuckwalla monument, which would protect significant cultural landscapes and promote access to nature for local residents. “The designation of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments in California marks a historic step toward protecting lands of profound cultural, ecological, and historical significance for all Americans,” said Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of the nonprofit Trust for Public Land (Voice of America).

Biden's actions coincide with his administration's broader environmental goals, which were further evidenced by his recent announcement of new bans on offshore oil drilling in U.S. coastal waters, intending to prevent future expansions by any incoming administration. The White House noted that these national monuments will help protect clean water for communities and honor areas of cultural significance through enhanced conservation efforts.

Local tribes, including the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe, have expressed joy regarding these designations. “The protection of the Chuckwalla National Monument brings the Quechan people an overwhelming sense of peace and joy,” the tribe stated, emphasizing the healing it brings to their ongoing relationship with the land. Such efforts to include Indigenous voices in land management echo recent trends seen with other monuments like the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, managed collaboratively with tribal nations. This inclusion is viewed as vital in addressing historical injustices and fostering a more inclusive understanding of America’s heritage (AP News).

In addition to these new proclamations, Biden's administration has previously expanded the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain national monuments in California and designated the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, further prioritizing local Indigenous input on land preservation (AP News).