Public meeting held on the proposed expansion of California’s Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument
Bob Wick
Proposal aims to incorporate nearly 14,000 acres of public lands into existing monument
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) hosted a public meeting today to hear from Tribal representatives, community members, elected officials, and stakeholders who expressed their opinions and shared valuable insights regarding the proposed expansion of Berryessa Snow National Monument in northern California.
The proposal aims to incorporate nearly 14,000 acres of existing BLM-managed land, including an area known as Molok Luyuk which is sacred to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, into the monument. Meaning “Condor Ridge” in Patwin, the addition of Molok Luyuk would further honor the ancestral ties of regional Tribes and create an opportunity for co-stewardship between federal and Tribal agencies. Earlier this year, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced legislation to expand the monument, but it has yet to be passed by Congress and advocates are now calling on President Biden to do so using his authority under the Antiquities Act
Dan Smuts, The Wilderness Society’s Senior Director, Pacific Region, responded to the meeting saying, “Expanding the National Monument to include the entirety of Molok Luyuk will help preserve unique biodiversity, protect a critical wildlife corridor, improve access to the outdoors, and contribute to President Biden’s goal of conserving and connecting large-scale landscapes across the country. Today the administration heard strong support from a diverse array of stakeholders for expanding the Monument.”
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, designated by President Obama in 2015, is a beloved northern California natural treasure encompassing vast landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and critical wildlife habitats. It’s home to abundant wildlife like tule elk, mountain lions, and bald eagles and supports half of the state’s dragonfly species.
Smuts continued, “The expansion of Berryessa Snow National Monument to include Molok Luyuk would be a significant step towards conserving our natural heritage for current and future generations.”
Contact:
Dan Smuts, Senior Director, Pacific Region; dan_smuts@tws.org / 415-398-1111 x108
Gaby Diaz, Communications Manager, Landscape Connectivity; gaby_diaz@tws.org / 720-464-1941
