Deb Haaland Secretary at U.S. Department of Interior | Official website
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland recently visited Southern California to discuss conservation efforts with federal, state, Tribal and local officials. The focus of her visit was the proposed establishment of Chuckwalla National Monument and expansion of Joshua Tree National Park.
The proposal for Chuckwalla National Monument covers over 600,000 acres of existing Bureau of Land Management public lands within Imperial and Riverside counties in Southern California. This desert landscape holds historic objects and cultural significance for many Tribes in the area. It also provides critical habitat and corridors for wildlife, including the Mojave Desert tortoise and Bighorn Sheep.
This proposal has been introduced by members of the California congressional delegation in both chambers of U.S. Congress. It builds upon decades of work from Tribes, elected officials, and community members to conserve the greater Chuckwalla landscape and build a responsible clean energy future.
During her visit, Secretary Haaland held a roundtable with leaders from various Indian tribes including Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Cahuilla Band of Indians, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, and Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. She also met with local elected leaders, business owners and stakeholders who have helped shape the proposal.
Secretary Haaland also hiked Painted Canyon within the proposed monument area due to its cultural significance. Additionally, she visited Joshua Tree National Park to learn about efforts to sustain native vegetation and address fire threats.
Joshua Tree National Park spans the intersection of the Colorado and Mojave deserts. First established as a national monument in 1936 by President Franklin Roosevelt, it was expanded in 1994 and renamed a national park under the California Desert Protection Act. The park is set to receive historic funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for climate restoration and resilience projects.
While in California, Secretary Haaland celebrated Endangered Species Day at Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. She also announced new funding from the President's Investing in America agenda for California to continue cleaning up orphaned oil and gas wells.
