Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Over the weekend, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy Stone-Manning visited Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to meet with federal, Tribal, state, and local officials, along with community members to hear their vision for preserving the region’s natural and cultural resources.
Discussions included proposals to expand the existing Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to protect culturally important sites on adjacent land managed by BLM. Legislation currently pending in Congress would expand the monument and rename the newly protected area, commonly known as “Walker Ridge,” to Condor Ridge or Molok Luyuk in the Patwin language, to reflect Indigenous heritage in the region.
President Barack Obama designated Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in 2015. The area provides essential habitat for fish and wildlife, hosts archaeological and historic sites, and offers outdoor recreational opportunities. The national monument covers more than 330,000 acres of public land and is jointly managed by the BLM (approximately 133,000 acres) and the U.S. Forest Service (approximately 197,000 acres).
In response, Dan Ritzman, Director of Conservation Programs at Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“It’s important Secretary Haaland was able to experience the landscapes and wildlife of Molok Luyuk for herself and hear from community members themselves why it’s so vital to protect this place.
“Expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk would ensure that these lands and waters, with their deep spiritual connections to Tribes and critical habitats for wildlife, remain protected for generations to come.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.