Washington D.C.– In response to Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, and Representative Schiff calling on President Biden to establish the Sáttítla National Monument Establishment Act to protect the Medicine Lake Highlands of Northern California, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and California Environmental Voters (CEV) released the following statements:

“LCV commends Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, and Congressman Schiff for following the leadership of the Pit River Tribe and local communities by calling on the President to designate the Sáttítla National Monument,” said LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick. “Designating the Sáttítla National Monument would protect the Pit River Tribe’s sacred and traditional cultural lands, which provide critical water resources for millions of people and sustain agriculture, fish populations, and diverse plant and animal species, from industrial development that the Tribe has fought against for decades. To protect this land and the diversity of wildlife it sustains, we urge the Biden-Harris administration to continue their legacy of protecting more lands than any administration and designate Sáttítla as a national monument as quickly as possible.”

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“Sáttítla is essential for providing pure water downstream, supporting agriculture, and meeting the needs of millions of people,” said California Environmental Voters Senior Political & Organizing Director Mike Young. “With the capacity to store as much water as California’s 200 largest surface reservoirs, this area is a vital safeguard against drought and the climate crisis, ensuring a reliable water supply for metropolitan areas.

The proposed national monument is rich in biodiversity, playing a crucial role in the health of people, threatened wildlife, and native plants. Protecting this area ensures the survival of numerous species and maintains the ecological balance vital for our well-being. Not only will we be protecting biodiversity, but also greenspaces where people live, play, and get access to nature.

The Pit River Tribe has fought tirelessly to defend its land and water from industrial geothermal development leases. Designating this area as a national monument will provide long-term protection and honor the Tribe’s connection to the land. We stand with the Pit River Tribe and are grateful for Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, and Congressman Schiff’s commitment to amplifying community voices.”

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