WEED, Calif. – Advocates from Environment California Research & Policy Center joined the Pit River Tribe to speak in favor of the proposed Sáttítla national monument at a public listening session held by the U.S. Forest Service meeting on Saturday.
The Pit River Tribe’s proposal for a Sáttítla national monument encompasses more than 200,000 acres of federal lands in Northern California, near the border of Oregon. The area, which is also known as the Medicine Lake Highlands, is under threat from more than two dozen federal leases for geothermal energy development projects. Such development would fragment wildlife habitat and release numerous toxic substances into the air. In addition, millions of people rely on clean water that flows through the proposed monument area, which would be contaminated by industrial projects.
President Joe Biden has the power to designate federal public lands, waters, and cultural and historical sites as national monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906, which he has used to designate five new monuments during his presidency. In September, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla introduced the Sáttítla National Monument Establishment Act urging President Biden to designate the monument. The California state legislature has also expressed support for the monument proposal, passing SJR17 in August calling for an official designation.
Following the meeting, Environment California Research & Policy Center State Director Laura Deehan released the following statement:
“The energy we saw today in support of a Sáttítla national monument was nothing short of inspiring. This land is incredibly valuable as it stands today, both for its significance to the Tribes that maintain it and the nature it contains. Developing energy projects on top of this beautiful open space would strip these forests of all that make them special.
“As California and our nation face the crisis of biodiversity loss, it’s more important than ever to reach our goal of protecting 30% of our lands. It’s time to officially protect the Medicine Lake Highlands from development and ensure that its clean water is able to flow while nature is able to thrive. We urge President Biden and his administration to listen to the passionate supporters who came out today and act to designate the Sáttítla national monument.”
