President Biden to Visit Eastern Coachella Valley Amid Plans to Establish National Monuments
Proposed Chuckwalla National Monument
President Joe Biden is set to visit the eastern Coachella Valley on Tuesday, January 7, amid reports that he plans to establish the Chuckwalla National Monument near Joshua Tree National Park. The proposed monument includes 644,000 acres of public lands in Riverside and Imperial Counties, stretching from the Coachella Valley near the Salton Sea to the Colorado River.
Background on Tribal Representations and National Monuments
Tribal representatives in California have been calling on the president to designate national monuments in the area since some fear that protecting the land from mining, drilling, and logging could be minimal once President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump had reduced the boundaries of two national monuments in Utah – Bear’s Ears and Grand Staircase – by 85% during his first administration, and also eliminated protections for a marine monument off the coast of New England.
Biden’s Previous Efforts to Protect National Monuments
The Biden administration later reversed Trump’s changes. During his first administration, Biden designated six monuments and expanded four, including enlarging the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument near Los Angeles. He used the Antiquities Act to establish new national monuments with a Presidential Proclamation.
Proposed Sáttítla National Monument
The Biden administration also plans to make a similar proclamation for land surrounding the Sáttítla National Monument in Northern California. The proposed monument includes over 200,000 acres that extend over parts of the Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Modoc national forests in northeastern California.
Visit to Los Angeles and Eastern Coachella Valley
The Bidens are also set to visit Los Angeles on Monday, January 6, in addition to the planned visit to the eastern Coachella Valley.
Conclusion
The establishment of national monuments is a crucial step in protecting public lands and preserving their natural beauty for future generations. The proposed Chuckwalla and Sáttítla national monuments are important areas that require conservation and protection. President Biden’s efforts to establish these monuments demonstrate his commitment to preserving the country’s natural resources.
FAQs
Q: Why are tribal representatives calling for national monuments in California?
A: Tribal representatives are concerned that the land may not be protected from mining, drilling, and logging once President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Q: What changes did Trump make to national monuments during his administration?
A: Trump reduced the boundaries of two national monuments in Utah – Bear’s Ears and Grand Staircase – by 85% and eliminated protections for a marine monument off the coast of New England.
Q: What is the Antiquities Act?
A: The Antiquities Act is a law that allows the president to establish national monuments with a Presidential Proclamation.
Q: How many monuments did Biden designate and expand during his first administration?
A: Biden designated six monuments and expanded four during his first administration.
