Growing Support for Expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

Members of Congress are proposing an expansion to the national monument by over 109,000 acres, increasing its size by nearly a third.

1 minute read

July 3, 2023, 9:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


View of snowy San Gabriel Mountains from the Mojave desert

The San Gabriel Mountains as seen from the Mojave desert. | Felipe Sanchez / Adobe Stock

In an attempt to expand wilderness protections to the mountains and foothills just north of the Los Angeles Basin, California Representative Judy Chu and Senator Alex Padilla have asked President Biden to add 109,167 acres to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, an act that would help to preserve an area that is rich in historical and ecological significance and is within only an hour’s drive of 18 million people.

The move would increase the monument by about a third and extend its boundaries to various San Fernando Valley neighborhoods, including park-poor Pacoima and Sylmar. It would also give the U.S. Forest Service greater ability to protect natural resources and manage crowds in areas not included in the 2014 monument designation by then-President Obama.

The proposal to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument comes at a time when the Biden administration has committed to safeguarding Indigenous, cultural and environmental sites under its “America the Beautiful” initiative, which seeks to conserve 30% of the nation’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. Aligning with and expanding on this effort, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the 2022 Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) Final Report as the county’s 30×30 plan on December 6, 2022. 

For more information, please read the source article.

Thursday, July 27, 2023 in NBC4.TV News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

Aerial view of flooding during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls

The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.

47 seconds ago - NC Newsline

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.