Mar 22, 2023

Biden creates new National Monuments to conserve land and waters

Posted Mar 22, 2023 3:34 PM
Castner Range National Monument in Texas- White House Photo
Castner Range National Monument in Texas- White House Photo

President Biden Tuesday announced two new actions to conserve and restore lands and waters across the nation.

The effort includes establishing the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada and Castner Range National Monument in Texas.

The Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada will honor Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples while conserving public lands and growing America’s outdoor recreation economy, according to the White House.

The Castner Range National Monument will expand access to the outdoors for the El Paso community while honoring veterans and servicemembers. Together, these new national monuments protect nearly 514,000 acres of public lands.

The President also directed the Secretary of Commerce to consider initiating a new National Marine Sanctuary designation within 30 days to protect all U.S. waters around the Pacific Remote Islands. If completed, the new sanctuary would ensure the U.S. will reach the President's goal of conserving at least 30% of ocean waters under American jurisdiction by 2030.