One is in Nevada, the other in Texas.
President Biden signed a proclamation Tuesday at the White House establishing two national monuments he said are part of his land conservation agenda by protecting and conserving 514,000 acres of public land.
His Conservation Action Summit establishes the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada, home to one of the world’s largest forests of Joshua trees. This area is also known as Spirit Mountain. It is considered sacred by tribes including Mojave, Chemehuevi, and Paiute.
In El Paso, Texas, he has set aside the Castner Range, a site used in World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam war for training by the Army. It is culturally significant to tribal nations including the Apache and Comanche. The Castner Range is located on Fort Bliss and is within the Franklin Mountains State Park.
By giving these areas national monument status, the lands are restricted from development, including drilling and mining and possibly the construction of renewable energy projects.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president and administration officials as they designate national monuments for preservation and conservation.
- For National Park Service Director Chuck Sams as he oversees the stewardship of U.S. public lands.
- For U.S. officials as they weigh the energy needs of the nation against the preservation of lands.
Sources: Washington Examiner, CNBC
