NEWS RELEASE: Designation of Sáttítla Highlands National Monument Ensures Long Term Protections for Sacred Lands and Critical Water Resources in Northern California
Contact:
Brandy McDaniels: (530) 335-5421; bmcdaniels@pitrivertribe.gov
Jen Dickson: (202) 316-2555; jensdickson@gmail.com
Coachella Valley, Calif. (January 07, 2024) — President Joe Biden announced the designation Sáttítla Highlands National Monument today, following decades of advocacy by the Pit River Nation, the local community, environmental groups, businesses, and elected officials. Sáttítla Highlands National Monument protects over 224,000 acres of sacred ancestral homelands in Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Modoc National Forests in northern California near Mount Shasta, a region critical to the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Pit River Nation. The monument will also protect critical water resources for millions of Californians and habitat for rare wildlife species by preventing geothermal energy development that has been a consistent threat to the area.
“For generations, my people have fought to protect Sáttítla, and today we celebrate the voices of our Ancestors being heard,” said Yatch Bamford, Chairman of the Pit River Nation. “Sáttítla Highlands National Monument is a victory not just for Tribal Nations but for every American who understands the value of clean water, healthy lands, and preserving the true history of these United States of America. These designations demonstrate what is possible when we center Indigenous leadership and honor the deep connections between Tribes and their homelands. We thank President Biden for listening to the many diverse voices that called for this designation and for standing in solidarity with the Pit River Nation.”
Today’s designation of Sáttítla, combined with the designation of Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California, will safeguard culturally and ecologically significant public lands. The designations ensure the monuments will be co-managed with Tribal Nations, incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into the stewardship of these lands. All of this underscoring the nation’s commitment to honoring Tribal sovereignty, addressing the climate crisis, and conserving America’s most important landscapes.
“Redding Rancheria celebrates the designation of the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, and supports all Tribes working to protect their lands,” said Chairman Jack Potter of the Redding Rancheria. “Tribes revere our lands as historic places of learning and sacred practice. Just as other American cultures might seek to protect a historic church or university, tribal communities wish to preserve our culture by protecting the sacred land where we learn, heal, gather medicine, and honor The Creator. We thank President Biden for honoring and protecting our sacred space for generations to come.”
In 2023 the Pit River Tribe issued a public call for action and asked for federal leadership to protect the region. This past summer, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Sáttítla National Monument Establishment Act outlining protections for Sáttítla. The legislation was accompanied by a letter which called for the President’s use of the Antiquities Act to designate Sáttítla National Monument and the creation of a co-stewardship agreement to best integrate the Pit River Nation’s Traditional Knowledge of the area. The proposal also received broad bi-partisan support in the full California Legislature with the adoption of SJR17.
“Sáttítla has long served as the spiritual center for the Pit River and Modoc Nations, and establishing it as a national monument will ensure that its sacred and ecological benefits endure for generations to come,” said California Senator Alex Padilla. “This designation will advance our conservation goals and protect vital recreational opportunities for local communities by conserving hundreds of thousands of acres of federal land. I applaud President Biden for recognizing the lasting importance of this unique landscape and building on his impressive record, which has helped us safeguard nearly 1 million acres of California’s public lands.”
Sáttítla Highlands National Monument has significant support from other tribal governments and organizations, elected officials, nearly 200 businesses, scientists, public health professionals, non-profit organizations, veterans, and local sportsmen and women. Thousands of people petitioned President Biden, asking him to use his power under the Antiquities Act to designate the national monument and more than 500 people attended a recent public listening session held by the US Department of Agriculture and Forest Service, demonstrating overwhelming support for the President’s actions.
“As an avid explorer, runner, and lover of the outdoors, I couldn’t be more excited about the designation of Sáttítla National Monument,” said Casey Glaubman, Mt. Shasta City Councilmember and Executive Director of the Friends of the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center. “This new designation will ensure that these treasured public lands will endure for future generations.”
President Biden’s proclamation kicks-off a process that will establish a management plan to guide the monument lands into the future. This process will include a number of opportunities for local community input, scientific evaluation, and collaborative efforts with the Forest Service, who will continue to manage the monument.
“This is a day for celebration and reflection,” said Chairman Bamford. “Our lands, our historical narratives, and our future have been provided with protective measures. But we also know the work is not done. Today’s announcement is a powerful step toward a future built on respect, reconciliation, and shared stewardship. Now we look forward to coming together to best manage these lands in a responsible manner to ensure that all future generations continue to experience Sáttítla just as we do today.”
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