Expanding the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

California Senator Alex Padilla and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) have reintroduced legislation to expand the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include approximately 3,925 acres of adjacent Bureau of Land Management-administered public lands in Lake County, California. This move aims to improve tribal engagement and co-management of the National Monument, including historic preservation, archaeological sites, and forest health. The legislation, also supported by Congressmen John Garamendi and Mike Thompson, seeks to permanently preserve the unique tribal knowledge, history, and cultural practices of the area's Native American communities.

Key Takeaways:

• The proposed expansion would add approximately 3,925 acres of public land to the existing Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
• The legislation requires the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service to improve tribal engagement and co-management of the National Monument.
• The area is rich in Native American cultural heritage and diverse ecosystems, with over 11,000 years of tribal presence in the region.
• The expansion would not impact privately owned, state, tribal, or non-federal land in any way.
• The federal land management agencies would be required to engage in meaningful consultation with federally recognized Indian tribes regarding the National Monument's management plan.
• The legislation provides opportunities for federal land management agencies to enter into voluntary agreements with federally recognized Indian tribes regarding management of the National Monument.

Statistics:

• The existing Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument covers over 330,000 acres.
• The proposed expansion would add approximately 4,000 additional acres to the National Monument.
• The area is home to dozens of tribes, with over 11,000 years of tribal presence in the region.
• The legislation has received endorsements from over 20 organizations, including the Sierra Club, California Wilderness Coalition, and Latino Outdoors.

Sources:

• Senator Alex Padilla, title of legislation (no publication date provided)
• Congressmen John Garamendi and Mike Thompson, introduction of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act (no publication date provided)
• Senator Dianne Feinstein, quote on the importance of preserving natural landscapes and Native American cultural heritage (no publication date provided)
• Lake County Board of Supervisors, endorsement of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act (no publication date provided)
• Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, endorsement of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act (no publication date provided)