Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has expressed her support for President Biden's recent designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument in southern California. This new national monument encompasses over 624,000 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, located at the intersection of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. The area is noted for its mountains, canyons, cultural and historic resources, biodiversity, and geological features.
The designation is a result of years of advocacy from Tribal Nations, local communities, and various levels of government to preserve these lands' historical, cultural, and scenic values. Secretary Haaland stated: "The stunning canyons and winding paths of the Chuckwalla National Monument represent a true unmatched beauty. It was my honor to visit this area to explore and meet with federal, state, Tribal and local leaders to hear about the need to protect and conserve this sacred area."
The monument's desert landscape serves as a transitional zone between ecosystems that supports numerous rare species such as desert bighorn sheep and Gila woodpecker. It also holds sites significant to multiple Tribal Nations including traditional trail systems still used today.
In 2024, Secretary Haaland visited southern California to discuss conservation efforts with officials and community members. Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis remarked on balancing conservation with clean energy goals: "The establishment of Chuckwalla National Monument demonstrates that we can balance conservation and drive toward a clean energy future that serves everyone."
The monument aligns with the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP), ensuring areas suitable for renewable energy development are not included within its boundaries.
Historical elements from California’s mining era in the mid-1800s are present in the region along with remnants from World War II military training activities. The designation allows for existing infrastructure maintenance while considering historical or scientific interests.
An advisory committee will be formed to assist in managing the national monument with representation from various stakeholders including local governments and Tribal Nations.
Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler along with Congressman Raul Ruiz had introduced legislation proposing this national monument prior to President Biden's designation under the Antiquities Act—a tool used by many presidents since Theodore Roosevelt first designated Devils Tower National Monument in 1906.
