On Tuesday, President Joe Biden will visit a secluded box canyon in the harsh desert of Southern California, aiming to solidify his legacy as a strong advocate for environmental preservation.

He is set to formally designate over 620,000 acres featuring ancient and revered rock formations along with expansive desert washes as the new Chuckwalla National Monument. Additionally, he will establish the approximately 200,000-acre Sáttítla National Monument in the mountainous region of Northern California near the Oregon border. These actions follow his recent decision to permanently prohibit oil drilling across more than 625 million acres of oceanic territory in the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska, indicating a desire to reinforce his environmental legacy during his final days in office.

The White House emphasized that while in office, Biden has safeguarded 674 million acres of U.S. lands and waters, positioning him as the president who has protected the most environmental land in history.

This last-minute initiative to enlarge his conservation achievements could face challenges from his successor and the Republican-dominated Congress. President-elect Donald Trump has already pledged to “unban” drilling in the extensive federally managed ocean waters which form part of the 674 million acres that Biden has designated as protected. During his previous term, Trump and his appointed officials rolled back many of the national monuments that were established under the Obama-Biden administration, much of which Biden has restored. This back-and-forth could likely persist.

However, the day is expected to be one filled with sunshine and celebration for diverse groups and officials who have strongly advocated for the establishment of these national sites. The new monuments will ensure robust protections for tribal sacred locations and artifacts, as well as historically significant military training grounds utilized by Major General George Patton. Moreover, they will provide critical habitats for various migratory birds, endangered desert tortoises, famed chuckwalla lizards, among other species, while also boosting tourism revenues and recreational prospects for the area’s Latino communities.

“We are thankful that the administration answered the pleas of thousands of Californians to safeguard our delicate deserts,” expressed Elizabeth Gray, CEO of the National Audubon Society, among many environmental advocates who commended Biden’s initiative. “This significant designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument not only guarantees the preservation of the area’s rich biodiversity but also plays a vital role in tackling the climate crisis while supporting the livelihoods of underserved populations.”

By protecting areas crucial to California’s tribes through the 1906 Antiquities Act, Biden is honoring the law’s original goal. The act was enacted by Congress and signed by President Teddy Roosevelt to provide comprehensive protections for archeological, cultural, and natural resources at a time when the looting of tribal territories was prevalent. Since its inception, it has been utilized nearly 300 times by U.S. presidents, often during the final days of their terms, to designate public lands and safeguard archeological treasures.

Many renowned national parks, including the Grand Canyon National Park (designated in 1908) and Joshua Tree National Park (designated in 1936), initially began as monuments. In recent decades, numerous presidents have created new monuments towards the close of their terms, frequently facing opposition from state officials and industry representatives.

“California is now home to two new national monuments that honor the tribes who have cared for these lands for generations,” remarked Governor Gavin Newsom, who plans to attend the event. “With the support of President Biden, California tribes, and local communities, we are safeguarding 840,000 acres of some of the state’s most culturally essential landscapes. This is a significant advancement in our goal to preserve 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters.”

Joseph Mirelez, the newly appointed tribal chairman of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, highlighted the importance of this designation.

“For thousands of years, the Torres Martinez Desert Indians have regarded the territories in the Chuckwalla National Monument as their home,” he stated. “We are pleased to see the establishment of protections for this area, which contains countless cultural sites and artifacts that are crucial to our history and identity.”

The tribe is one of the nine nations of Cahuilla Indians, which include the first known Residents of the Coachella Valley, as well as those living in Riverside and San Diego counties, including the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountain regions, have reported ongoing issues with the theft of cultural artifacts and disrespect towards sacred locations, according to Donald Madart, Jr., a council member of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian tribe in eastern Riverside County. He expressed that areas of their ancestral lands near the Colorado River are set to be safeguarded, covering vital worship locations and numerous sacred items.

Madart emphasized that the creation of new monuments proposed by President Biden presents a significant chance to protect the religious rights of Indigenous peoples. He highlighted that the initiative encompasses much more than just the preservation of beautiful landscapes.

He pointed out that collaboration between tribes and governmental bodies in managing these newly established monuments is essential, something the White House has promised to pursue.

Northern California monument holds sacred significance for tribes

The second monument introduced is the Sáttítla National Monument, covering 200,000 acres in Northern California near the Oregon border. This area serves as a significant spiritual hub for the Pit River and Modoc Tribes, featuring mountain woodlands, unique meadows, and special water sources that nurture rare plant and animal species.

“This location is integral to our creation stories and has been an essential ceremonial site for the Pit River people since time immemorial,” stated Brandy McDaniels, a member of the Pit River tribe leading the national monument campaign.

The designation of the monument, named Sáttítla referring to the region’s volcanic landscape and obsidian formations, will protect an area that McDaniels calls “a natural safeguard against climate change,” highlighting its role in supporting renowned fisheries, agriculture, and wildlife habitats.

McDaniels added that this designation aligns with Biden’s goal of conserving 30% of U.S. land and oceans by the year 2030. She noted that local tribes successfully fought against industry proposals to develop land now included in the Sáttítla National Monument.

Long fight to establish national monuments

Biden’s recent actions conclude an extended and concerted effort to designate these lands as national monuments, following generations of attempts by local tribes to reclaim segments of their historic territories. In April, a petition gathering over 800,000 signatures in support for these proposed monuments was presented to the White House, revealed in front of the U.S. Capitol. Congress members, including Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, also a Democrat from California, and former U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler, have strongly advocated for bipartisan legislation to create the Chuckwalla monument, although their efforts fell short.

Ruiz, who has fond memories of hiking in local canyons and even proposed to his wife there, expressed his excitement by stating, “I am overjoyed.”

Referring to a negotiation with major solar companies last spring, which allowed a reduction of the original Chuckwalla monument proposal by 40,000 acres in return for their backing, he remarked, “The Chuckwalla National Monument will set the foundation for future conservation and renewable energy initiatives.”

The White House made it clear that both existing and future energy infrastructure in designated areas would remain permissible.

Ruiz also guided Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and others on tours of the areas proposed for monument designation. Biden made a notable historical move when he appointed Haaland, who is Native American, to oversee vast federal lands that were taken from tribes over a century ago, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which has faced criticism regarding its relationship with tribal communities.

Biden’s first visit to California desert as president

Although President Biden has traveled to various areas in California since taking office, his visit this Tuesday will mark his first documented trip to the California desert.

This visit comes shortly after former President Trump held an October campaign rally near Coachella, where he criticized California’s governance and its high-profile politicians.

Additionally, this trip occurs nearly a year after First Lady Jill Biden was the main speaker at a private Democratic fundraiser in Rancho Mirage. At that time, in March 2024, Biden had not yet announced his decision not to run for re-election in the upcoming presidential race.

Biden’s upcoming visit adds to a long legacy of presidential visits to the valley. Many presidents from both parties, including former President Dwight Eisenhower and former President Gerald Ford, who spent decades living in Rancho Mirage until his passing in 2006, have frequented this area.

Barack Obama, the former President, and Michelle Obama, the former First Lady, spent time at a private residence in Rancho Mirage multiple times, both during and after Obama’s time in office.

This isn’t President Biden’s first initiative focused on environmental preservation in the Coachella Valley. His administration also allocated $250 million in 2022 to aid in the restoration of the Salton Sea, which is California’s largest but diminishing and polluted lake, located near the western border of the newly established Chuckwalla monument.

Local support for the monument came from various tribes and cities

Local officials in the Coachella Valley have responded positively to the president’s initiatives. At least seven out of the nine cities in the valley, along with local tribes and nonprofit organizations, voiced their support for the new designation.

Evan Trubee, the Mayor Pro Tem of Palm Desert and operator of a company offering bike and driving tours in Southern California’s desert, mentioned he has been advocating for the monument designation over the past year.

“Many travelers driving down Interstate 10 towards Arizona might glance out the window and think it’s just a barren wasteland, but in reality, it’s a fragile ecosystem home to various protected species, including the desert tortoise,” he stated. “Even minor changes can have significant impacts.”

Trubee estimated that his business, Big Wheel Tours, takes thousands of visitors to the Mecca Hills Wilderness annually. He anticipates that this figure will increase significantly now that the area has received official designation, especially since part of the monument aligns with the San Andreas fault line, which attracts a lot of interest from tourists.

Trubee also acknowledged Congressman Ruiz for playing a vital role in this achievement.

“Dr. Ruiz played a crucial role in uniting the coalition, providing the link between our valley and Washington D.C., ensuring it made it onto the president’s agenda,” Trubee remarked.

Trubee expressed his hope that the new monument will bring economic advantages to nearby communities, including North Shore, Thermal, Mecca, and Coachella.

“I would love to see those communities flourish as a result of increased tourism, with more visitors spending money in those areas,” Trubee noted.