Sander Kushen, sander.kushen@sierraclub.org
MEDICINE LAKE, Calif. -- The Sierra Club joined the Pit River Tribe and local leaders on Saturday to urge President Biden to designate the proposed Sáttítla National Monument in the national forests of northeast California. The meeting was hosted by the US Department of Agriculture and attended by over 400 people.
Often referred to as the “headwaters for California,” the land known as Sáttítla supplies fresh water to millions across the state, supporting wildlife and agriculture all the way down to the San Francisco Bay. In addition to its role as a water source, the area has held cultural significance to the Pit River and Modoc Tribes for generations, who continue to use the area for religious activities, ceremonies and gatherings.
In response, Mary Lunetta, Sierra Club’s California Conservation Strategist, said:
“Sáttítla is one of California's greatest natural wonders—the primordial network of underground volcanic aquifers supplies millions with fresh water and serves as a cornerstone for Northern California’s ecological health. Sáttítla is also the traditional homeland of the Pit River and Modoc Tribes, who have recognized this area’s importance for centuries.
“The Sierra Club thanks the US Department of Agriculture for convening this meeting. National Monument designation is a critical step for protecting Sáttítla’s benefits for the communities, wildlife and ecosystems of California.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.