Washington D.C– In response to President Biden designating the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments in California, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) released the following statements:

“LCV is forever grateful for President Biden and Secretary Haaland’s steadfast leadership and commitment to protecting our communities, climate, and sacred and treasured places,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski. “We are thrilled to celebrate today’s designations of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments, and proud to support the Tribal and local leaders who advocated tirelessly to make them happen. These monuments protect and honor living landscapes that are rich in cultural, recreational, and ecological resources that continue to sustain the well-being and survival of Indigenous peoples today. Sáttítla Highlands National Monument offers protections for a unique volcanic landscape which is home to critical water resources for millions of people, as well as agriculture and fish populations, and Chuckwalla National Monument provides a poignant example of how clean energy and conservation practices can coexist to simultaneously tackle the climate crisis and build climate resilience.

LCV also thanks Senator Padilla, and Representative Ruiz for listening to local voices and advocating for these designations, and for their continued dedication to addressing the climate crisis in California and across the country.”

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“We applaud President Biden for listening to local communities and designating Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments. In doing so, he will have a lasting environmental legacy of protecting more acres of public lands than any president except for the late President Jimmy Carter. We urge all leaders to follow suit in defending our nation’s public lands,” said Mike Young, Executive Director, California Environmental Voters. “These monuments are lifelines for ecosystems, communities, and our fight against the climate crisis – we must continue to stand up to preserve these critical resources before it’s too late.”

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