On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources favorably reported the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act (S. 683) with unanimous and bipartisan support.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) with Sen. Dianne Feinstein as co-sponsor (D-CA), is a companion to H.R. 1396, introduced by Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA).

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and legislative co-sponsors have also called for President Joe Biden to expand the national monument using his authority under the Antiquities Act.

The Antiquities Act is a 1906 law that grants presidents the ability to designate federal public lands, waters, and cultural and historical sites as national monuments to permanently conserve them.

The legislation would expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include additional public lands on the monument’s eastern edge.

In addition, S.683 would establish tribal co-management of the monument and change the name of the expansion area from “Walker Ridge” to Molok Luyuk (the Patwin name for Condor Ridge).

This name was provided by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which has a long and significant connection to the area that stretches back thousands of years.

The tribe has actively supported this legislation and the calls for President Biden to protect Molok Luyuk with the Antiquities Act.

“Molok Luyuk is a rare treasure of rich cultural heritage and sacred history, diverse wildlife and rare plants, and stunning natural beauty and accessible recreational activities,” said Sandra Schubert, executive director of Tuleyome, a regional conservation organization. “We are deeply grateful to our Congressional champions Reps. Garamendi and Thompson and Sens. Padilla and Feinstein for shepherding this effort. We encourage President Biden to expand the existing monument and permanently protect Molok Luyuk.”

The expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk will protect the cultural, wildlife, climate and outdoor recreation values this region holds.

“Molok Luyuk is a special and sacred place for area tribes and for many local residents who enjoy recreation activities like hiking and mountain biking,” added Lake County Supervisor E.J. Crandell, a member of the Robinson Rancheria Tribe. “The natural beauty of our home also drives tourism, which is key to the economic vitality of the region. Protecting these beautiful lands would be a gift to future generations.”

Advocates and local tribes hope that incorporating the adjacent federally owned land into the existing national monument would improve land management, help expand public access, and protect sensitive wildlife, habitat areas, and cultural resources.

"I grew up in this area and lived here on these lands for the last 20 years. I think that Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument has been positive for the area and I support expanding the monument to include this beautiful ridge. My property is right next to the expansion area - just slightly east of the ridge,” added David Lucientes, a Colusa County landowner. “Having these public lands be part of the monument would be a good thing. It's all one landscape and should be managed together."

Molok Luyuk boasts rich biodiversity including over 30 species of rare plants, ancient blue oak woodlands, rugged rock outcrops, wildflower meadows, and extensive stands of McNab cypress. The area also provides wildlife connectivity for many species including deer, mountain lions, and black bear.

Popular recreation activities on these lands include hiking, mountain biking, photography, camping, horseback riding, and off highway vehicle, or OHV, use on designated routes.

“As an avid OHV recreationist, I strongly support expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk,” said Don Amador, Government Affairs, American Motorcyclist Association District 36. “The permanent protection of Molok Luyuk will improve the management of these lands and increase public access to recreation opportunities. This is a win-win for our community and I add my voice in support of expanding the monument.”

The proposed national monument expansion would help the state of California under Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Biden Administration meet their shared goals to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030 and improve outdoor access for historically marginalized communities.

“Nature can be such a valuable reprieve for so many, yet there continue to be deep inequities in access to the outdoors,” said Shanna Edberg, conservation program director for the Hispanic Access Foundation. “In fact, our research found that in California, Latinos and other people of color are two times more likely to be deprived of nearby nature than white people. Protecting Molok Luyuk will help to ensure equitable access to the outdoors in a county where 22% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.”

In March, President Biden protected over 500,000 acres of public land by designating Avi Kwa Ame in Southern Nevada and Castner Range in Texas as national monuments through use of the Antiquities Act.

“Our national monuments are a part of our country’s outdoor heritage and must be passed down to future generations,” said Janessa Goldbeck, Chief Executive Officer of Vet Voice Foundation. “Veterans advocated for the designation of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and we’re proud to support the expansion of the monument to include Molok Luyuk."

To learn more about this effort and to sign a petition in support of the expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, visit www.expandberryessa.org.