President Obama Poised to Expand California Coastal Monument

Move will Protect Stornetta Public Lands on North Coast

Environment California

Washington –President Barack Obama is poised to permanently protect California’s Stornetta Public Lands as part of the California Coastal National Monument. The move, expected Tuesday, will save 1,600 acres of beach, wetlands, dunes, and waterways along Northern California’s scenic coastline. Nathan Weaver, Preservation Advocate with Environment California, issued the following statement:

“We are thrilled that President Obama is poised to protect the Stornetta Public Lands. Stornetta’s beaches, tidepools, islands, wetlands, and wildlife perfectly capture the rugged beauty of California’s northern coastline. Stornetta is home to rare and endangered animals, including the snowy plover, the Point Arena mountain beaver, and Behren’s silverspot butterfly. This incredible place should be protected for future generations of Californians to enjoy.

“Protecting Stornetta would not be possible without the advocacy of our environmental leaders. I thank Congressman Jared Huffman, Congressman Mike Thompson, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, and of course President Obama for their leadership on this issue.

“This will be the first new national monument proclaimed since President Obama declared ‘I’ll use my authority to protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations’ in his January 28 State of the Union address. California is home to hundreds of thousands of pristine acres under threat and eligible for protection.

We look forward to continuing to work with the President and his team to continue saving California’s mountains, deserts, lakes, and beautiful places statewide.”

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Environment California is a state-based, citizen-funded, environmental advocacy organization working toward a cleaner, greener, healthier future.