Biden’s Final, Controversial Push for America’s Public Lands

As President Joe Biden enters the final week of his term, his administration is poised to announce the creation of two new national monuments in California: Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument. Spanning nearly 850,000 acres collectively, the White House says these monuments are part of Biden’s commitment to preserve 30% of US lands and waters by 2030.

However, like many of his conservation actions, the new monuments have been controversial, especially in Western states such as Utah, where the debate over federal land management remains contentious.

The New Monuments: Protection for Ancestral Lands

The Chuckwalla National Monument, located south of Joshua Tree National Park, will preserve 624,000 acres of desert landscape in Southern California. This area holds deep cultural significance for the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan, and Serrano nations, who have stewarded this region for centuries.

With the monument’s designation, these ancestral lands will receive lasting protection from the threat of development and exploitation, allowing these communities to continue their cultural practices and connections to the land.

The Chuckwalla Mountains are located just southeast of Joshua Tree National Park in California’s Sonoran Desert. Photo: Bob Wick / Bureau of Land Management

Similarly, the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in Northern California will protect over 224,000 acres of rich ecosystems that include parts of the Modoc, Shasta-Trinity, and Klamath National Forests, along with the sacred homelands of the Pit River Tribe and the Modoc people. These regions, home to diverse wildlife and ecosystems, will now be safeguarded from industrial encroachment, preserving both biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Joe Biden designated the volcanic mountains east of Mt. Shasta as the new Sáttítla National Monument. Photo: Bob Wick / Forest Service

These new monuments are just the latest chapters in Biden’s broader conservation strategy, which aims to connect and protect crucial public lands across the American West. The Chuckwalla designation, in particular, is an integral part of the Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor: a vast protected region that stretches from Utah to California.

Credit: White House

The Colorado River, which supplies water to seven US states and Mexico, faces increasing demand and environmental stress. By protecting lands along its tributaries and watersheds, the Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor supports efforts to preserve these critical water sources. Healthy watersheds directly influence the volume and quality of water that eventually flows into the river.

A Legacy of Conservation

Biden’s conservation legacy is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious in recent history. Since taking office, he has designated or expanded 12 national monuments and restored three others, including the Camp Hale National Monument along the Colorado and Continental Divide trails. His decision to restore the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears national monuments in Utah to their original size — reversing reductions made by the Trump administration — has sparked fierce political debate, underscoring the tension between federal oversight and local governance.

Camp Hale, located directly on both the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail, became President Biden’s first designated National Monument in 2022. Photo: Kate Riley

These efforts have drawn praise from environmental groups and Indigenous communities, who argue that protecting these lands will help preserve biodiversity, enhance scientific research, and safeguard sacred cultural sites. Judith LeBlanc, executive director of Native Organizers Alliance, emphasized that national monument designations honor the deep historical and cultural connections Native peoples have to these lands, ensuring their lasting protection.

However, Biden’s conservation agenda has not been without its detractors, particularly in Utah and other states where the federal government’s control over public lands remains a contentious issue.

The Controversy: Local Concerns and Economic Impact

The controversy surrounding Biden’s monument designations is rooted in a complex tension between federal control and local governance. In states like Utah, where public lands make up a significant portion of the landscape, some local lawmakers and community leaders argue that national monument designations restrict access to lands vital for grazing, recreation, and economic development.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox and members of the state’s congressional delegation have criticized Biden’s approach, framing it as federal overreach that bypasses local input and threatens the economic livelihoods of rural communities. Furthermore, there are concerns about the broader implications for land-use flexibility and state sovereignty over resource management.

Utah’s opposition to these federal protections is not new. The state has been involved in a long-standing battle over the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments, both of which were reduced in size by the Trump administration. Biden’s restoration of these monuments was met with swift legal challenges, with state officials arguing that the federal government should not have the authority to make such sweeping decisions without consulting local communities and stakeholders.

The Grand Staircase of the Escalante spans from Bryce Canyon National Park into Northern Arizona. Photo: John Fowler

The concerns are not limited to Utah. In the case of Biden’s 2023 designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona, state leaders voiced frustration, claiming that large-scale monument designations increase visitation without providing the necessary infrastructure or resources to manage the influx of visitors.

Local law enforcement and community leaders often point to the burden of increased traffic, litter, and strain on local services as challenges that arise when federal lands are designated as protected areas.

The Benefits: Preserving the Nation’s Natural and Cultural Heritage

Meanwhile, proponents of national monuments say these protected areas help preserve biodiversity, protect endangered species, and safeguard iconic landscapes. They also provide a platform for scientific research, offering valuable insights into the natural world, paleontology, and environmental conservation.

National monuments can significantly boost local economies by attracting tourists eager to explore pristine wilderness areas. For example, the designation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah brought an influx of visitors, leading to job creation in hospitality and tour services.

While some local leaders have voiced concerns about the pressure such tourism places on infrastructure, others have capitalized on the opportunity, developing eco-tourism initiatives and small businesses that cater to nature enthusiasts. Supporters argue that the long-term benefits of this tourism can far outweigh the short-term challenges, especially as national monuments often become symbols of environmental stewardship and cultural pride.

The Citadel Ruins are remnants of Anasazi cliff dwellings located in Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument. Photo: Bob Wick / Bureau of Land Management

For Indigenous communities, the designation of national monuments like Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands represents a critical step in acknowledging their historical and cultural ties to the land. These monuments provide a sense of justice for tribes whose ancestors were displaced or whose sacred lands were harmed by development.

However, some Native groups have raised concerns about the lack of consultation in past federal land decisions and the need for greater involvement in managing these protected areas. The challenge lies in balancing federal protections with Indigenous sovereignty, ensuring that these lands are both preserved and managed in partnership with the communities whose histories are entwined with them.

The Road Ahead: Striking a Balance

As Biden’s presidency draws to a close, much of his legacy within the outdoors space will be defined by his efforts to expand protections for public lands and support Indigenous sovereignty. His push for national monuments has been a bold stand for conservation, but it has also highlighted the challenges of balancing federal land management with local concerns.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on conservation before signing a proclamation establishing the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

The debate over the future of national monuments and public lands is far from over. As new management plans for monuments like Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante are finalized, and as the country looks to address the environmental and economic challenges of the 21st century, finding common ground between conservation advocates and local stakeholders will be crucial.

Biden’s national monument designations may be his parting gift to the American wilderness, but their long-term success will depend on a continued dialogue between the federal government, state leaders, Indigenous communities, and the American public.

Featured image: The Chuckwalla Mountains just southeast of Joshua Tree National Park. Bob Wick / Bureau of Land Management.