WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the recent public meeting and calls from Congressman John Garamendi (D, CA-8), Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and other local Tribes and advocates for President Biden to finalize the most expansive protections for the greater Molok Luyuk landscape around the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) released the following statements:   

“LCV is thrilled that the Biden-Harris administration prioritized this week’s public meeting to hear strong support from Tribal leaders and local community members  for expanded protections for the Molok Luyuk, or Condor Ridge, as part of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Permanently protecting these lands honors its cultural importance to California Tribes and conserves the region’s incredible biodiversity,” said LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick. “This Tribally-led effort is another critical opportunity to incorporate meaningful Tribal planning, co-management, and consultation into federal protections and management. We thank the Yocha Dehe Wintun people, Senator Padilla and Representative Garamendi for their leadership and working closely together with Tribal leaders and local advocates to ensure the most expansive protections for this important landscape. LCV looks forward to supporting a monument designation on this deserving landscape which gets the Biden-Harris administration’s closer to its goal of protecting 30% of US lands and waters by 2030.”

***

“Expanding Berryessa is necessary to safeguard sites of cultural and historic significance, biodiversity, and green spaces for all Californians,” said Aaron McCall, Federal Advocacy Coordinator, California Environmental Voters. “Protecting these public lands is a perfect opportunity to move closer toward the President’s commitment to conserve 30% of America’s wild spaces by 2030 as part of the 30×30 goals. We’re eagerly awaiting the Biden Administration’s expansion of the national monument to include Molok Luyuk, land sacred to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.”

###