Today, President Biden announced the expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The expansion allows us to further conserve and protect vital areas that provide drinking water to millions of people, demonstrating the agencies’ mission to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  

San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is a place boasting a rich cultural history. Its striking geological features and ecological diversity provide glimpses into what the land would have looked like in ancient times.

The area also has an eclectic history, serving at times as mining hub, grand recreation resort, and even as a Cold War Nike missile facility.

The original 346,177-acre San Gabriel Mountains National Monument was designated by President Obama in 2014, and preserved rock art that provides a glimpse into ancient civilizations, an observatory that brought the world the cosmos, and streams, hiking trails and other outdoor recreation opportunities.

In addition to the San Gabriel expansion, President Biden announced the expansion of northern California’s Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which adds the 13,696-acre Molok Luyuk, meaning "Condor Ridge" in the language of the Patwin people, to the existing monument. President Biden’s action expands on the 330,780 acres designated by President Obama in 2015, portions of which are in Mendocino National Forest. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument expansion is located on public lands managed by the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management; however, the monument will continue to be co-managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is an important recreational setting for millions of residents in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas. In 2021, the Angeles National Forest received 4.59 million recreation-based visits. The people of Los Angeles County and surrounding areas cherish San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and are committed to the care and protection of the objects of interest within it that have resulted in its creation and expansion. This expansion can model the way to manage sites for sustainability, equitability, cultural tradition and current use.

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