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Southern California Could Get A New National Monument Near Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree
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Chris Goldberg
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via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
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Topline:
Representative Raul Ruiz, D-Calif, is formally proposing a new national monument in Southern California. The Chuckwalla National Monument would span about 660,000 acres. The site would stretch between Joshua Tree National Park's southern boundary to the Colorado River, near the Arizona border.
Why it matters: The Chuckwalla National Monument would protect several sacred and culturally significant areas for the Native American nations that live nearby, such as the Painted Canyons and Corn Springs.
It will also help numerous animals.
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“The designation will secure protection for millions of migratory birds, desert tortoises, bighorn sheep, and many other at-risk species that share the land with us,” said Frank Ruiz, the California Desert and Salton Sea Program Director for Audubon California, at a news conference on Monday.
The backstory: Rep. Ruiz said he is excited about the plan because of how involved tribal leadership has been.
“This is the movement of a community coming together to protect our lands for the betterment of all creation,” he said.
Rep. Ruiz said The Chuckwalla National Monument would be co-managed with tribes and would be open for recreational activities like hiking, camping, or off-roading. The monument would also help California reach its goal of conserving 30 percent of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.
What's next: Even if the state, local communities, and tribes are on board with the idea, The Chuckwalla National Monument would need to be designated by either an act of Congress, or by an executive order from President Joe Biden.
Rep. Ruiz said if there is no clear path through Congress, he will be sending a letter of support to Biden, along with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein.
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