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Biden Establishes Two National Monuments in California Following Wildfire Delays



The ceremony for signing was originally scheduled for last week in California’s Coachella Valley, but it was canceled due to the ongoing wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden officiated the signing of designations at the White House, creating two new national monuments in California.

The planned signing ceremony for the Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in Northern California was supposed to occur last week in the Coachella Valley. The destructive wildfires in the Los Angeles region, however, necessitated the cancellation and relocation of the event.

These national monuments aim to honor Native American tribes and impose restrictions on mining and energy projects within their boundaries.

Joining Biden at the ceremony were Secretary Deb Haaland, elected officials, and representatives from Native American tribes.

During the event, Biden highlighted the environmental contributions of Theodore Roosevelt and remarked that the natural beauty of America is integral to the nation’s identity.

These new designations are part of his America the Beautiful initiative. In his second week as president, Biden signed an executive order setting an ambitious conservation target of protecting 30 percent of all U.S. lands and waters by 2030 as part of the initiative.

“With your support over the last four years, we have made significant progress towards that bold goal by restoring and establishing new national monuments, conserving hundreds of millions of acres of our lands and waters,” Biden stated at the ceremony.

The president utilized his powers under the Antiquities Act to designate the two new national monuments.

Chuckwalla National Monument, situated close to Joshua Tree National Park, spans 624,000 acres within the Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor, which extends along the Colorado River.

“This action today will also safeguard mountain ranges, rugged canyons, desert landscapes, and deep valleys,” Biden remarked. “Hidden within this desert are beautiful springs and over 50 unique species of plants and animals. From palm trees, cacti, and lavender flowers to lizards, mountain lions, bats, and bighorn sheep, it truly is a remarkable ecosystem,” he added.

This designation also protects lands where indigenous peoples left behind ancient artifacts, tools, rock art, and sacred ceremonial locations.

The second national monument, Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in Northern California, encompasses 240,000 acres and features lava fields and craters.

“At the heart of these highlands lies a dormant volcano that shelters a stunning lake within its summit,” he mentioned.

Biden recalled that during the 1960s, NASA used the lava formations in this region to prepare astronauts for moon missions, teaching them how to observe and collect samples.

“Since then, this landscape has contributed to California’s outdoor recreation sector, including biking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, and numerous other activities,” he stated, noting its sacred significance to many Native American communities.



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