In 2014, President Obama increased protection for 346,177 acres of the Angeles National Forest by creating the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Part of this monument borders our Claremont Hills Wilderness Park along its northern boundary.
In an unprecedented action in April, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke placed it on a list of 27 recently designated national monuments to be “reviewed.” The results could lead to Congressional action that would reduce the size of the monument or eliminate it altogether.
We on the board of the Claremont Wildlands Conservancy urge you to call Secretary Zinke or to write an email, postcard, or letter in support of our monument (and the 26 others at risk).
The deadline for pubic comment is July 10.
Here are ways to contact Secretary Zinke:
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240
(202) 208-3100
feedback@ios.doi.gov
One of the Trump administration’s arguments for initiating the review is that community participation in the process of creating these monuments was lacking. We need to demonstrate that this was not the case and that the monument meets vital needs in our region.