Officials Call To Add Chuckwalla National Monument, Expand Joshua Tree

PALM DESERT, CA — Tribal and community leaders, elected officials, and local residents Monday called on President Joe Biden to designate Chuckwalla National Monument and to protect lands adjacent to the Joshua Tree National Park.

The Chuckwalla National Monument Establishment and Joshua Tree National Expansion Act of 2023 would allow the conservation of public lands known for their biodiversity, cultural significance, and rich history, according to a statement from Protect Chuckwalla.

It would also ensure equitable access for communities in the eastern Coachella Valley, who cope with extreme heat, air and water pollution, and limited access to nature.

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert, spoke on the legislation designed to further protect the desert.

"I appreciate the leadership and partnership of many organizations, tribes, and community leaders who have laid the groundwork for this historic legislation," Ruiz said in a statement. "This legislation will protect our desert lands, improve air quality, expand access to recreational outdoor activities, and foster tourism and economic growth."

The Chuckwalla National Monument, located south of Joshua Tree National Park and reaching from the western Coachella Valley region to the Colorado River, would become the largest protected area of the Colorado Desert bioregion at about 660,000 acres, according to Mike Murray, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks.

“The designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument will help to safeguard over 600,000 acres of desert land that serves as habitat for incredible biodiversity,” Murray said. “This designation will also protect a number of historic sites and resources and preserve a cultural landscape that is significant for numerous Tribes.

Given the size of the monument, this effort would contribute significantly to state and federal commitments to protect at least 30 percent of public lands and coastal waters by 2030, according to the coalition. Some of the species that would benefit include the chuckwalla lizard, the desert tortoise, and the desert bighorn sheep.

Safeguarding the land and expanding the national park would aid California's efforts to fight climate change and conserve biodiversity, according to backers of the effort.

Some species, such as the chuckwalla lizard, will benefit greatly from the contribution to state and federal commitments to protect public lands and coastal waters by 2030.

Colin Barrows, co-founder of CactusToCloud Institute, released a statement.

"Our desert is incredibly rich in biodiversity, with each mountain range and valley home to unique plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth," Barrows said. "The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument and Joshua Tree National Park Expansion would protect and connect these 'islands' of diversity, creating vital climate refugia and building resilience in the face of warming temperatures, increased drought, and habitat loss."

The legislation would also propose to protect about 17,000 acres of public lands in the Eagle Mountains near Joshua Tree National Park, officials said.

The National Park Service studied the proposed expansion and indicated that the lands are critical for bighorn sheep migration and are a "key building block" for desert landscape conservation.

"I look forward to working with so many great partners who care deeply, like me, about our environment and health," Ruiz said.

Leaders like Ruiz are calling on Biden to designate the national monument and to expand the national park it's adjacent to by using the Antiquities Act.

Murray summed up his support saying: "We urge President Biden to continue to work towards his pledge to protect 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 and act swiftly to designate Chuckwalla National Monument and expand Joshua Tree National Park.”