President Joe Biden is set to sign a proclamation establishing two new national monuments in California, protecting vast swaths of land and honoring Native American tribes. The new monuments, Chuckwalla and Sáttítla, aim to safeguard the region’s environmental, cultural, and historical significance.
Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments
The Chuckwalla National Monument will cover 600,000 acres in Southern California, near Joshua Tree National Park. The protected area will span from the Coachella Valley in the west to the Colorado River, preserving tribal cultural landscapes and military history sites.
The Pit River Tribe has long advocated for the protection of this land, and their efforts have led to the establishment of the Sáttítla National Monument in Northern California, which will protect approximately 200,000 acres.
These national monuments will prohibit activities such as drilling, mining, and development, ensuring that the areas remain untouched for future generations. The protection of these lands holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for local Native American tribes, as well as environmental and historical value.
Tribal Support for National Monument Designations
The Chuckwalla National Monument has received significant support from various Native American tribes and environmental groups since 2023. The monument will help ensure access to nature for local residents and protect sacred tribal lands. Tribal leaders have called for the inclusion of local tribes as co-stewards, a model seen in other recent monuments, such as the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. The Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe expressed their joy over the protection of Chuckwalla, emphasizing the sense of healing and restoration it brings to their people.
The Sáttítla National Monument has been championed by the Pit River Tribe, who has worked diligently for years to achieve this designation. Both tribes will now have the opportunity to protect and preserve their ancestral lands with greater authority and responsibility.
A Legacy of Monument Designations
The establishment of Chuckwalla and Sáttítla follows Biden’s continued commitment to preserving California’s natural beauty and supporting tribal sovereignty. In early 2024, Biden expanded the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monuments. He also designated the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary along the central coast.
These moves represent an ongoing effort to safeguard California’s unique landscapes while strengthening tribal partnerships and involvement in conservation efforts.
