RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — In a significant move underscoring his administration’s commitment to environmental conservation, President Biden has officially designated the Chuckwalla National Monument in southern California. Announced today by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, this designation protects over 624,000 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This vast expanse, where the Colorado and Mojave Deserts converge, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, including majestic mountains and deep canyons, as well as its rich cultural and historical significance, remarkable biodiversity, and unique geological formations.
This presidential action marks the culmination of decades of dedicated advocacy from Tribal Nations, local communities, and leaders at the federal, state, and local levels, all united in their commitment to safeguarding the invaluable historical, cultural, and scenic attributes of these lands.
“The Chuckwalla National Monument, with its stunning canyons and intricate trails, embodies unparalleled natural beauty. I was privileged to visit this remarkable area, engaging with federal, state, Tribal, and local leaders to understand firsthand the imperative to protect and conserve this sacred landscape,” stated Secretary Haaland. “President Biden’s decisive action today ensures the preservation of vital spiritual and cultural values intrinsically linked to this land and its wildlife. I am profoundly grateful that future generations will have the opportunity to experience the unique wonders that define this area.”
The newly established national monument occupies a unique transitional desert ecosystem, acting as a crucial corridor and habitat for a diverse array of rare species. Among these are iconic creatures such as the desert bighorn sheep, the Gila woodpecker, and the federally threatened Agassiz’s desert tortoise, all of which depend on this protected landscape for their survival.
Furthermore, the Chuckwalla National Monument is deeply intertwined with the heritage of numerous Tribal Nations. The sites within the monument hold profound traditional, cultural, and spiritual significance, forming integral parts of the creation narratives of these Indigenous communities. These lands represent the ancestral homelands of the Iviatim, Nüwü, Pipa Aha Macav, Kwatsáan, and Maara’yam peoples, encompassing the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan, and Serrano Nations. Ancient trail systems crisscross the monument, pathways still traversed today, both physically and through the songs and stories passed down through generations. The area is replete with artifacts, including pottery shards, ancient tools, remnants of habitation sites, and captivating petroglyphs, offering tangible links to the past. Native plants of the region, such as mesquite, ironwood seeds, wild grasses, and cacti, were traditionally harvested for sustenance, highlighting the deep connection between the land and its people.
In a proactive step towards this designation, Secretary Haaland undertook a visit to southern California in May 2024. During this visit, she engaged in discussions with federal, state, Tribal, and local officials, as well as community members, to gain insights into their collective vision for conserving the ecological, cultural, historical, and natural integrity of these lands for both present and future generations. Building upon this engagement, Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis and BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning convened a public meeting in Indio, CA, in June 2024. This meeting provided a platform for community members to voice their perspectives on the proposed national monument designation and to explore avenues for aligning conservation efforts with shared clean energy objectives.
“The establishment of the Chuckwalla National Monument serves as a powerful demonstration of our ability to harmonize conservation imperatives with the pursuit of a clean energy future that benefits all,” emphasized Acting Deputy Secretary Daniel-Davis. “The renewable energy industry has proven to be an invaluable partner in fostering consensus and collaboration surrounding this proposed monument. To effectively address the urgent climate crisis, we must remain committed to discovering pathways that protect sacred lands, plants, and wildlife while simultaneously advancing a robust clean energy agenda.”
The Chuckwalla National Monument’s designation is strategically aligned with the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP). This comprehensive landscape-level plan meticulously identifies areas most suitable for renewable energy development while also delineating lands requiring safeguarding due to their significant biological, cultural, recreational, and other intrinsic values. Crucially, the monument boundaries have been carefully drawn to exclude areas identified within the DRECP as prime locations for solar energy development, ensuring a balanced approach to land use.
The region also bears testament to California’s rich mining history, with relics dating back to the mid-1800s scattered throughout the Chuckwalla region’s mountain ranges. These historical remnants include abandoned mining shafts and the Bradshaw Trail, recognized for its historical significance as a National Backcountry Byway since 1992. Furthermore, the area played a critical role in the nation’s efforts during World War II. The Department of the Army established the Desert Training Center in California and Nevada, with a substantial portion situated within the Chuckwalla Valley, to prepare U.S. Army units for combat operations in North Africa. Today, remnants of camps and training exercises, including a prominent hill known to have been used by Major General George Patton to observe tank maneuvers, serve as poignant reminders of this era.
The designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument respects valid existing rights and does not impede the maintenance or necessary upgrades of existing utility, pipeline, and telecommunications infrastructure, roads, or highway corridors, and essential water infrastructure. This includes provisions for wildlife water developments and water district facilities. Furthermore, the designation does not preclude the construction of new facilities, provided they are consistent with the proper care and management of the monument’s historic and scientific features and adhere to relevant stipulations outlined in the presidential proclamation.
To ensure informed and effective management of the newly established national monument, the presidential proclamation mandates the creation of an advisory committee. This committee will be composed of representatives from diverse stakeholder groups, including local governments, the renewable energy and electric utility industry, recreational users, and Tribal Nations, among others. The proclamation also underscores the importance of meaningful and ongoing engagement with Tribal Nations, actively seeking opportunities for collaborative co-stewardship of the Chuckwalla National Monument, recognizing their deep cultural connection to the land.
Legislative support for the monument designation was demonstrated in April 2024 when Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, along with Congressman Raul Ruiz, introduced legislation proposing the establishment of a national monument in this region, highlighting the broad political support for conservation.
President Biden’s designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument was executed under the authority of the Antiquities Act. This landmark legislation, first invoked by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 to designate Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, has been utilized by 18 presidents from both parties. Presidents from across the political spectrum, including recent Presidents Trump, Obama, G.W. Bush, and Clinton, have employed this authority to safeguard unique natural and historic features on federal lands across America, protecting iconic landmarks such as the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Berryessa Snow Mountain in California for generations to come.
