Biden establishes largest corridor of protected land by adding 2 new monuments

President Joe Biden is set to designate the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments on Tuesday, a move that will create the largest protected land area in the continental United States, totaling nearly 850,000 acres. This significant expansion of a conservation corridor in the West highlights the administration's commitment to environmental preservation.

The Chuckwalla National Monument, located south of Joshua Tree National Park, will encompass 624,000 acres. By establishing this monument, Biden aims to protect critical habitats for rare and endangered species while preserving the cultural legacies of the region's Tribal Nations, including the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan, and Serrano Nations. The area is home to 50 rare species, including the desert bighorn sheep and the Chuckwalla lizard.

The Sáttítla Highlands National Monument will cover 224,000 acres, incorporating parts of the Modoc, Shasta-Trinity, and Klamath National Forests. This monument will also protect the dormant Medicine Lake Volcano, a significant geological feature in the region. Important wildlife, including the Cascades frog and northern spotted owl, inhabit this area, emphasizing the need for its protection.

Biden's designations are made possible through the Antiquities Act, a law that has faced criticism and reductions in its application during the previous administration. The White House described these new monuments as a culmination of four years of significant conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding the environment.

This announcement follows Biden's recent ban on oil and natural gas drilling across 625 million acres off U.S. coasts, indicating a broader commitment to environmental protection and climate action.