On Thursday morning, The White House released a statement stating that President Biden will expand the boundaries of two national monuments in California to protect vast swaths of land that are culturally important to Native American tribes and nearby communities.
Biden will sign two proclamations to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which President Obama created.
According to Biden’s plan, the San Gabriel Mountains, which lies in the east of Los Angeles, encompasses 346,000 acres, with most of it in the Angeles National Forest is likely to get even bigger by about 105,919 acres.
San Gabriel Mountain offers amazing views of mountains along with adventurous activities such as hiking, biking, or camping.
The Berryessa Snow National Monument lies northwest of Sacramento and covers around 331,000 acres of oak-studded hillsides and steep canyons that will expand by 13,696 acres.
During the summer, the mountain is covered with colorful wildflowers.
Vice President Harris, who has personal ties to California, has been supportive of this move, having previously introduced legislation for the San Gabriel monument’s expansion.
Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Judy Chu have also advocated for this expansion.
Harris said, “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership and the dedicated organizing of advocates throughout my home state, we are making that a reality by protecting an additional 120,000 acres of lands that are culturally, ecologically, and historically important to California and our nation.”
He further added, “These expansions will increase access to nature, boost our outdoor economy, and honor areas of significance to Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples as we continue to safeguard our public lands for all Americans and for generations to come.”
Significantly, Judy Chu also expressed his view that “From increasing access to nature for low-income and underserved communities to protecting the source of one-third of Los Angeles County’s drinking water, today’s proclamation will be so meaningful to our region”
“As we celebrate this proclamation by President Biden, let’s recommit to protecting these pristine public lands for the future and working together to give everyone access to their immense benefits.”
In an interview, Padilla also expressed her thoughts that the expansion will benefit thousands of low-income families in Los Angeles, especially those who lack green spaces.
She said, “It’s strengthening access to the outdoors for so many low-income working families in the greater Los Angeles area,”
“I think it’s about 15 million people in the Los Angeles area who are within a 90-minute drive of the San Gabriel Mountains.”
Conservation groups, tribes, and Democratic politicians have expressed appreciation for Biden’s action.
However, they’re urging Biden to designate over 1 million acres of wilderness in southeastern Oregon as the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument.
Additionally, they’re calling for the designation of 627,855 acres of desert in Southern California as the Chuckwalla National Monument.
These groups believe that protecting these areas is crucial for preserving natural habitats, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.
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