Los Angeles, California-- More than 2.5 million comments have been collected in support of national monuments as part of a “review” initiated by the Trump administration. Led by Interior Secretary Zinke, the intent of the review is to undermine and rollback protections for some of the country’s most beloved public lands. Giant Sequoia, Sand to Snow, Mojave Trails, Carrizo Plain, Cascade-Siskiyou, Berryessa Snow Mountain and the San Gabriels, were among the national monuments targeted by the review, although those with the opportunity for extractive industries, such as Mojave Trails and Giant Sequoia may be particularly threatened.
In response area leaders issued the following responses:
“The current administration’s ‘review’ of 27 national monuments, including the San Gabriel Mountains in my district, which provides 70 percent of the public open space in Los Angeles County, is an unprecedented attack on our public lands. California is leading the way in saying this can’t and won’t happen. I co-authored Assembly Joint Resolution 15, a bill that puts the California Legislature on record for protecting the San Gabriel Mountains and all of our national monuments. It passed with bipartisan support. Our state attorney general has written a strong letter vowing to take ‘any and all legal action necessary’ to preserve six California monuments that the federal government may attempt to revoke or shrink. The clear message from California to the administration is to leave our public lands alone, including the national monuments under review in California, which include the Giant Sequoia, San Gabriel, Carrizo Plain, Mojave Trails, Berryessa Snow Mountain, Cascade-Siskiyou and Sand to Snow national monuments. Long may they remain protected and open to the public,” said Laura Friedman, Assemblywoman for California’s 43rd District, which contains portions of the San Gabriel National Monument.
“Mojave Trails and other California monuments should stay intact. In the past few decades, it’s been recognized that we are disconnected with nature. Our national monuments provide the place to experience nature, and solitude, which is important for military veterans and others who are simply veterans of everyday life. In addition, Mojave Trails and other monuments, preserve unique pieces of history such as Route 66, ancient craters and fossils, while bringing critical tourism dollars to our region,” said Dave Hansen, military veteran, Mojave desert resident.
“The tremendous outpouring of public support for Giant Sequoia and other national monuments demonstrates Americans’ deep appreciation for our wild places. We urge Secretary Zinke to listen to the millions of people who want to see our national monuments protected into the future, including thousands from the Central Valley, where Giant Sequoia is a source of clean water, clean air and spiritual sustenance for our communities who experience some of the worst air and water pollution in the nation,” stated Mehmet McMillan, founder of WildPlaces, an organization that brings youth from the Central Valley to the Giant Sequoia National Monument.
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