President Joe Biden recently expanded two national monuments in California, totaling nearly 120,000 acres, in response to calls from tribal nations, Indigenous community leaders, and others. These expansions are part of Biden’s “America the Beautiful” initiative, honoring tribal heritage, aiming to conserve 30% of public lands by 2030, and addressing climate change. Vice President Kamala Harris played a significant role in ensuring protections in her home state, California, which also has conservation targets.
The expansions of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in Southern California and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California were driven by the calls of Indigenous peoples who are the original stewards of these culturally and historically rich lands. The newly renamed Condor Ridge in Sacramento has been significant to tribal nations for thousands of years, serving as a central site for religious ceremonies and key trading routes. Expansion of these sites aims to improve accessibility to nature for the people of California while protecting various species like black bears, mountain lions, and tule elk.
The Biden administration is facing criticism from some Republicans and critics who believe that his initiative unnecessarily ties up resources that could be used for agriculture and other purposes. In some cases, it is alleged that Biden has exceeded his legal authority with his conservation efforts, including restoring monuments and conservation land that were previously canceled by former President Donald Trump. However, the administration has established or expanded seven national monuments, restored protections for three more, and taken other measures to protect cultural and natural resources.
Expansion and designation efforts are carried out under the Antiquities Act of 1906, which authorizes the president to provide legal protection for cultural and natural resources of historic or scientific interest on federal lands. In addition to the California monuments, coalitions of tribes and conservation groups across the nation have urged Biden to make several other designations. This includes the designation of a new Chuckwalla National Monument, new Kw’tsán National Monument, and the protection and naming of Sáttítla, also known as the Medicine Lake Highlands, as a national monument.
With the recent expansions in California, Californians are calling on the Biden administration to make a total of five monument designations this year. The designations aim to increase access to nature, boost the outdoor economy, and honor areas of significance to Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples. The administration has also designated national monuments outside Grand Canyon National Park, in southern Nevada, and in El Paso, Texas. These moves have faced challenges in court but demonstrate Biden’s commitment to conservation efforts and honoring the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities.
