Washington, D.C. — Today, President Joe Biden will designate his first national monument, the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument in Colorado. The president will also put into motion a ban on mineral extraction—which would prohibit new oil, gas, and mining development—in the Thompson Divide area. These actions stem from the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act, which has stalled in Congress despite overwhelming local and national support. In addition, President Biden will direct funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to address drought in the Colorado River Basin.
In response, Center for American Progress Senior Vice President for Energy and Environment Policy Christy Goldfuss issued the following statement:
Camp Hale-Continental Divide is more than worthy of President Biden’s first national monument designation. The proclamation honors those who served our country in World War II, while preserving the area’s wilderness characteristics, wildlife, and outdoor recreation economy. The Thompson Divide mineral withdrawal also offers immediate protection from future oil and gas leasing and certainty for the surrounding community.
The protections outlined in the CORE Act have languished in Congress long enough. Today’s executive actions move the needle forward to conserve places that local communities and stakeholders across Colorado have worked to protect for more than a decade. These protections are strongly supported by Coloradans, and bold action to conserve U.S. public lands is unquestionably supported throughout the country. Today’s actions represent a welcome step toward meeting the president’s commitment to address the nature crisis. The Biden Administration should continue answering the call from local communities around the country to protect their treasured natural areas.
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For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].