On January 3, 2025, the Biden administration announced the designation of two new national monuments in California. The Chuckwalla National Monument, spanning approximately 644,000 acres near Joshua Tree National Park, and the Sáttítla National Monument, covering about 200,000 acres in Northern California, are now protected from new drilling, mining, and logging activities.
These sites are considered sacred ancestral lands by several indigenous tribes. The Chuckwalla region has faced opposition to gold mining and exploration, while the Pit River Tribe and environmental advocates have contested geothermal development and logging in Sáttítla. Both areas are home to diverse wildlife, including bighorn sheep, black bears, and bald eagles.
This action aligns with ongoing efforts by Native American groups to safeguard their heritage and environment. President Biden has previously designated six national monuments under the Antiquities Act, contrasting with former President Trump's removal of two national monuments in Utah.
Additionally, the Biden administration is advancing its climate agenda by implementing rules, tax credits, and loans for clean energy projects. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to establish regulatory measures that may complicate efforts by future administrations to reverse current climate policies. Last month, the administration also announced plans to withdraw nearly 264,000 acres of federal lands in Nevada from oil and gas development.