LOS ANGELES — In a bid to expand wilderness protections to the mountains and foothills just north of the Los Angeles Basin, California Rep. Judy Chu and Sen. Alex Padilla have asked President Joe Biden to add 109,167 acres to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument — an act they say would help preserve an area that is rich in historical and ecological significance and is within just an hour’s drive of 18 million people.
The move would increase the monument by roughly a third, and extend its boundaries to the back door of San Fernando Valley neighborhoods including Sylmar, Santa Clarita and Pacoima. It would also give the U.S. Forest Service greater ability to protect natural resources and manage crowds in areas left out of the 2014 monument designation by then-President Barack Obama.
“From increased access to nature for underserved communities, to protecting the source of one-third of L.A. County’s drinking water, our region’s economy, health, and environment will extensively improve from such a designation by the President,” Chu, Calif., said.
