Washington, D.C. — Today, President Biden is expected to announce plans to create a new Avi Kwa Ame national monument that would protect hundreds of thousands of acres of land from development and protect a landscape that is sacred to a dozen Native American Tribes. In response, Drew McConville, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
This is a major step toward meeting President Joe Biden’s historic commitment to equitable land conservation and Tribal sovereignty. A new Avi Kwa Ame national monument will protect sacred and culturally significant lands, significant archaeological and historic sites, biodiversity hot spots, and recreation opportunities. It’s encouraging to see the president using his executive powers to escalate the pace of conservation in the United States. He should continue to act with urgency to meet his national conservation goals.
Last week, CAP released a report highlighting the top eight opportunities for President Biden to use his executive authority to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and oceans by 2030. In addition to calling on Biden to designate the proposed Avi Kwa Ame national monument, the report highlighted other locally driven conservation proposals awaiting action. It also outlined a suite of powerful tools at the Biden administration’s disposal to make meaningful conservation progress, from a climate rulemaking for national forests to the expansion of national wildlife refuges.
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For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].