New White House fact sheet has removed references to Chuckwalla and Sáttítla national monumentsNever miss global breaking news. Download our free app to keep up with key stories in real time.The White House is fueling speculation over plans to eliminate two large national monuments in California established by former president Joe Biden.Less than a week before leaving office, Biden designated the 624,000-acre Chuckwalla national monument in southern California and the 224,000-acre Sáttítla Highlands national monument in northern California. Native American tribes consider these lands sacred and had urged Biden to protect them from drilling, mining, clean-energy development and other industrial activity. Continue reading...
The White House has sparked uncertainty about the future of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla national monuments in California, designated by President Biden shortly before leaving office. A White House fact sheet initially mentioned terminating proclamations that established these monuments, but later removed those references. This raises concerns about potential elimination of the monuments, reminiscent of Trump's previous reductions to Utah monuments. The Antiquities Act allows presidents to create monuments, but it is unclear if they can rescind protections without congressional approval. The monuments are located in Southern and Northern California, and have ecological and cultural significance.