President Joe Biden has designated two sites in California as national monuments, honoring Native American tribes and protecting significant landscapes from mining and energy ventures. Announced at the White House rather than California as originally planned, the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument safeguard over 849,000 acres in total across the state. These protected areas include natural wonders such as the Painted Canyon of Mecca Hills and habitat for rare species like the Chuckwalla lizard.
Biden's announcement comes after initial plans to announce the designations in California were disrupted by wildfires exacerbated by high winds, a stark reminder of the growing impact of climate change on the environment. "Our national wonders are the heart and soul of this nation," Biden remarked, emphasizing the importance of preserving these sites for future generations. The declarations forbid oil and gas drilling and other industrial activities in these areas.
These actions follow ongoing efforts by Native American tribes and environmental groups advocating for monument status. The Chuckwalla designation fulfills long-standing requests by various tribes, while the Sáttítla Highlands acknowledgment aligns with efforts by the Pit River Tribe. This initiative is part of Biden's broader environmental agenda to conserve at least 30% of US lands and waters by 2030, continuing to build on previous actions such as banning new offshore drilling in most US coastal waters, a move likely to face challenges from the incoming administration. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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