Proposal would designate Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains national monuments

Senator invites senior administration officials to hear public input on desert conservation

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) will host a public meeting on October 13 on proposed national monument designations in the California desert. The meeting will take place at the Wildlands Conservancy’s Whitewater Preserve at 2 p.m. near Palm Springs and is open to the public.

On August 3, Feinstein sent a letter to President Obama requesting he use his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate three new national monuments: Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains.

This request is consistent with the senator’s longstanding efforts to protect these areas legislatively. Feinstein is committed to hearing local community voices on their conservation goals for these areas and has invited senior administration officials to be present at the public meeting.

“The California desert is a magnificent national treasure, and I won’t rest in my efforts to ensure it stays that way for generations to come,” said Feinstein. “Critical parts of the desert are at risk and need our support.”

WHAT: Public meeting on proposed Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains national monuments.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 13, at 2 p.m.

WHERE: The Wildlands Conservancy’s Whitewater Preserve, 9160 Whitewater Canyon Road, Whitewater, Calif. 92282

WHO: Senator Feinstein has invited the following individuals to deliver remarks:

• U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary Mike Connor
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie
• Other senior administration officials
• Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.)
• Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.)
• Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.)
• California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird
• Wildlands Conservancy Executive Director David Myers
• San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos
• Riverside County Board of Supervisors Chairman Marion Ashley
• Fort Mojave Indian Tribe Chairman Timothy Williams
• Spokesman for the California Off-Road Vehicle Association Randy Banis

Below are maps for the proposed national monuments:

• Statewide California map
• Southern California map
• Proposed Mojave Trails National Monument
• Proposed Sand to Snow National Monument
• Proposed Castle Mountains National Monument

Earlier this year, Feinstein introduced the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015, a comprehensive bill to protect pristine land and help manage California’s desert resources by carefully balancing conservation, recreation and renewable energy development. National monument designations are included in this legislation, in addition to many other provisions.

“My preference remains to pass the legislation in full,” Feinstein said. “However, as it has not yet passed the Senate, I am forced to pursue a dual-track strategy, which means I will simultaneously push for my bill to become law while also pursuing the administrative designations under the Antiquities Act.”

This public meeting is an opportunity to hear from the community on its wishes for conservation of the area.

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