Berryessa Snow Mountain and San Gabriel Mountains
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Biden to expand two national monuments
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, May 2, 2024
A sunset illuminates the serpentinite of Molok Luyuk. Photo by Bob Wick.
President Joe Biden plans to expand two national monuments in California today, adding to his conservation legacy. Using his authority under the Antiquities Act, the president will add more than 100,000 acres of public land to San Gabriel Mountains National Monument north of Los Angeles, and nearly 14,000 acres known as Molok Luyuk, or Condor Ridge, to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California.
Both monuments were initially protected by President Barack Obama, and today's expansions come after years-long campaigns by organizers in each area.
“A lot of work went into the initial monument designations under President Obama, but the areas that are being added now were part of the initial vision, just not included in the initial designation,” said Senator Alex Padilla of California ([link removed]) . “So it’s finally completing the vision.”
The San Gabriel Mountains expansion will increase access to nature for underserved communities in Los Angeles. The Angeles National Forest already sees nearly 4.6 million visits a year—more than the Grand Canyon or Yosemite.
Molok Luyuk is the ancestral home of the Patwin people and served as an important trade and travel route for Indigenous groups. With the expansion, the area's name will officially change.
“Notably, the renaming of Walker Ridge to Molok Luyuk recognizes the Patwin ancestry of this area of California, whose traditional territory stretches south from these hills to the shores of San Pablo Bay and east to the Sacramento River,” said Anthony Roberts ([link removed]) , tribal chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. “It also highlights the restoration effort being made by our Tribes to reintroduce the California Condor to the ridge.”
With today's expansions, President Biden will be less than 100,000 acres away ([link removed]) from protecting more public land with the Antiquities Act than any first-term president in recent history. Last year, CWP featured both San Gabriel Mountains ([link removed]) and Molok Luyuk ([link removed]) as part of our Road to 30: Postcards ([link removed]) project highlighting locally-driven conservation campaigns across the country.
Fish passage projects benefit Western communities
Across the country, outdated structures such as culverts and dams prevent fish from following rivers and streams to reach their upstream habitat. Removing these barriers or replacing them with bridges can improve access to habitat and reduce flood risk for communities. In a new CWP blog pos ([link removed]) t ([link removed]) , policy director Rachael Hamby looks at how the latest round of funding awards from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide millions of dollars to remove culverts and help communities across five Western states.
** Quick hits
------------------------------------------------------------
Biden expands national monuments in California
Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | San ([link removed]) Francisco Chronicle ([link removed]) | Sacramento Bee ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | White House
([link removed]) [Fact Sheet] | Center for Western Priorities ([link removed]) [Statement]
The far right has a plan to destroy America's national monuments
Outside ([link removed])
Angus King makes renewed push to expand access to Maine's national monument
Bangor Daily News ([link removed])
Navajo government asks Biden to stop uranium transport across Navajo Nation
KNAU ([link removed])
House passes bills that attack environmental protections, benefit oil and gas companies
Huffpost ([link removed]) | States Newsroom ([link removed])
New Mexico reaches record settlement over methane flaring in the Permian
Associated Press ([link removed])
Peltola pushes bill to permanently block Pebble mine in Alaska
E&E News ([link removed])
Alaska Tribes unite around conservation of public lands
Pew Charitable Trusts ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
------------------------------------------------------------
” Think of walking like 100 yards, and you’re literally walking through millions of years of history because of the geology. That unique geology also leads to unique, rare species, especially of plants.”
—Tuleyome executive director Sandra Schubert on Molok Luyuk, Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** Picture This
------------------------------------------------------------
@grandcanyonnps ([link removed])
Get ready to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon's North Rim as we kick off the 2024 season on Wednesday, May 15 at 6 a.m.! 🎉 Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also resume services on this date.
Starting at 8 a.m., visitor services including the campground, Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore, and Backcountry Information Office will be up and running, plus, don't miss out on daily Park Ranger programs available at the Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk until October 15.
Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations will be in full swing, with the dining room serving up delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (don't forget to reserve for dinner!).
Mark your calendars—the 2024 season runs until October 15, so make sure to plan your visit before then! For lodging, mule rides, and campground reservations, reach out to Aramark Destinations and Grand Canyon Trail Rides.
[link removed] ([link removed])
============================================================
** Website ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
Copyright © 2024 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.
Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
