Tribes Urge Biden to Designate New Monuments

Native American tribes in California are urgently calling on President Biden to designate three national monuments before Donald Trump takes office, fearing that the new administration may threaten protections for these sacred lands. The proposed monuments include the Chuckwalla National Monument, covering over 620,000 acres from the Coachella Valley to the Colorado River, the Kw’tsán National Monument encompassing 390,000 acres, and the Sáttítla National Monument, which includes about 200,000 acres in Northern California. Tribal leaders emphasize that these lands are vital for their cultural identity and environmental protection, linking the degradation of these ecosystems to personal loss. Supporters argue that establishing these monuments is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and access to nature, especially for local communities. The push for these designations comes amid concerns that Trump’s administration may seek to reverse recent protections established under Biden's presidency, which included the designation of six new monuments. Activists are also advocating for the expansion of Joshua Tree National Park by an additional 18,000 acres to further safeguard the region's ecological integrity.