Washington, D.C: In response to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s visit to the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument to meet with Tribal and local leaders, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) released the following statements:

“Secretary Haaland’s visit builds on the efforts of Tribal and local leaders who have advocated tirelessly for protections for the cultural, ecological, and recreational resources in the California desert,” said America Fitzpatrick, League of Conservation Voters, Conservation Program Director. “The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument is a great example of how we can best advance our shared conservation and clean energy goals. LCV appreciates Secretary Haaland’s leadership and dedication to protecting these resources, and applauds the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to locally-led conservation and clean energy. President Biden has protected more than 41 million acres to date, which puts him on track to conserve more lands and waters than any President in history. We urge President Biden to build on his already-historic conservation legacy by swiftly protecting this landscape as Chuckwalla National Monument.”

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“The California desert is one of our state’s vibrant treasures and is home to a wide range of unique plants and wildlife that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. It’s undeniable that protecting these lands can maximize the desert sector’s contribution to reducing carbon emissions. The proposed expansion is an opportunity to enhance the resources dedicated to preserving this irreplaceable wildspace, aligning with President Biden’s ambitious goal to conserve 30% of America’s lands and waters by 2030,” said Mike Young, Political and Organizing Director at California Environmental Voters. “We thank Secretary Haaland and the Biden Administration for their visit and interest in hearing from Tribal and local communities on the importance of Chuckwalla. We’re eager for President Biden to protect this space where Californians come to relax, explore, and celebrate their cultural history.”

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