Biden To Expand San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

LOS ANGELES, CA — President Joe Biden authorized the expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Thursday following advocacy from California tribes and Indigenous community leaders.

The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and Gabrielino San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians urged Biden to expand the national monument due to its rich and cultural heritage. The expansion will include 105,919 acres considered the "gateway" to the Angeles National Forest.

“We are thrilled that the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is expanding,” said Rudy Ortega Jr., L.H.D., President, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. “We thank the Biden administration for making this longstanding vision a reality. Expanding the monument helps protect lands of cultural importance to my people who are part of this nation's history and who have cared for these lands since time immemorial. It also further protects areas that are critical for our environment and the wildlife and plants that depend on this landscape."

In addition to the San Gabriel Mountains Monument, Biden also authorized the expansion of the Barryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California. The expansion of these two locations represents two of the five designations Californians asked the president to act on this year.

The additional monument opportunities include Chuckwall National Monument in Riverside, Kw'tsán National Monument in Imperial County and Sáttítla in Northern California — also known as the Medicine Lake Highlands.

The expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains Monument will help ensure equitable access to nature, conservation of a critical drinking water source and address the climate and biodiversity crisis, advocates say.

“We add our voices in celebration of expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument,” said Chief Anthony Morales, Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians. “The San Gabriel Mountains are historically significant to our tribe, our people, and our culture. Protecting more of this important region helps protect our traditional plants and cultural resources. We join Senator Padilla and Representative Chu in thanking President Biden for using the Antiquities Act to expand the monument.”

In addition to the expansion, over $1 million in corporate, philanthropic and state government support to help ensure equitable access to and sustainable recreation within the monument was announced Thursday.

The California State Water Resources Control Board is also expected to fund efforts to reduce discharges of trash and other pollutants along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River.

Additionally, the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy is investing $2.5 million to aid in the enhancement and access efforts. Construction for the San Gabriel River Confluence with Cattle Canyon Improvements Project is anticipated to start this year, officials said.