Deb Haaland Secretary at U.S. Department of Interior | Official website
Secretary Deb Haaland expressed her appreciation for President Biden’s expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, stating, “Locally led conservation efforts are at the heart of what we are advancing in the Biden-Harris administration. Molok Luyuk is sacred to the Tribes who have long advocated for its protection and maintain a deep connection with this land and thanks to President Biden’s leadership, it will now be protected for future generations.” Haaland further added, “Today I am honored to stand with the Tribal leaders, local communities, and coalitions that made the expansion of this monument possible.”
The expansion of the monument signifies the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to supporting community-driven and Tribally led initiatives for conservation and restoration. This effort aligns with the President's America the Beautiful initiative, which aims to conserve and restore the nation's lands and waters. The administration has already conserved over 41 million acres of land and water, positioning President Biden to become the President who has conserved the most lands and waters in history.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, initially established in 2015 to protect its diverse biodiversity, has now been expanded to safeguard the sacred ridgeline known as Molok Luyuk. This designation holds significant importance for Indigenous Peoples, particularly the Patwin people, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians. The proclamation directs the exploration of co-stewardship agreements within the expansion area to educate about the history of Tribal Nations.
BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning commended President Biden for amplifying the voices of Tribes and the local community, emphasizing the collaborative conservation efforts that have led to the protection of Molok Luyuk. Stone-Manning stated, “Molok Luyuk will undoubtedly become one of the treasures of the monument, and we look forward to working with the Tribes to manage it.”
The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, now spans more than 340,000 acres of public land. It is emphasized that the monument designation applies only to existing federal land managed by the BLM and does not affect Tribal land, private property, or local government property.
For further information on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, interested parties can visit the BLM website.
