Federal Protection For Massive Swath Of SoCal Desert Celebrated

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Local leaders and federal officials celebrated Tuesday alongside President Joe Biden the official designation of the more than 600-acre Chuckwalla National Monument in Riverside and Imperial counties.

The ceremony took place at the White House one week after Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived in Southern California for a planned Chuckwalla event in Riverside County, but the wildfires and powerful Santa Ana winds that erupted in Los Angeles County forced the celebration to be canceled.

Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-25) attended Tuesday's celebration. He has pushed for the Chuckwalla designation. Last week, he said, "After years of negotiation and bringing several communities together, this achievement was made possible through the leadership and partnership of many organizations, tribes, and community leaders.

"Chuckwalla National Monument will pave the way for the future of conservation and renewable energy. I greatly appreciate Senators Padilla and Butler for their support and partnership over the last several years."

According to White House officials, establishing the Chuckwalla National Monument is Biden’s capstone action to create the largest corridor of protected lands in the continental United States. Located at the southern edge of Joshua Tree National Park, the Chuckwalla designation adds to the "Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor," a nearly 18 million acre area stretching approximately 600 miles in the U.S. Southwest. The corridor protects wildlife habitat and a wide range of natural and cultural resources along the Colorado River, across the Colorado Plateau, and into the California deserts.

"It is a vitally important cultural and spiritual landscape that has been inhabited and traveled by Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples since time immemorial," according to the White House.

While the Chuckwalla National Monument has important tribal significance and serves to protect the environment, the area will be accessible to all people.

"The Chuckwalla National Monument is good for the environment, the economy and public’s health," Ruiz said. "It aims to protect pristine wildlife habitats, endangered plants and animals, and sacred sites of significant spiritual importance to local tribes, crucial for their cultural preservation. Additionally, it will enhance tourism and economic opportunities in our region and provide a new venue for constituents to hike, bike, and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty of our desert. This monument will play an important role in addressing California’s and our nation’s climate change goals while promoting the growth of renewable energy."

Related: National Monument Status Proposed For Swath Of Riverside County