Biden should declare this sacred site in Northern California a national monument | Opinion
Nestled deep within northeastern California, there is a place where tribal people still maintain deep ties to the sacred lands and waters that flow beneath the Earth’s surface.
Since time immemorial, Sáttítla, known as the Medicine Lake Highlands, has been the ancestral homelands and a spiritual sanctuary for the Pit River Nation and other tribes — home to ancient traditions, ceremonies and Indigenous wisdom. Yet, beyond its cultural significance, Sáttítla holds a crucial role in sustaining life itself with its remarkable water resources.
That’s why the current battle for preservation through both a national monument designation and outstanding national resource waters designation transcends mere heritage; they embody the quest for a sustainable water legacy that will quench the thirst of Californians for generations to come.
Opinion
Beneath the surface of the Medicine Lake Highlands lies an intricate network of aquifers that supply pure water to millions, including communities from the far reaches of Northern California to the Sacramento River, to San Francisco and beyond.
Despite the widespread acknowledgment of Sáttítla’s unique, sacred and life-sustaining resources, this area still lacks protection. The Pit River Nation and our allies have been fighting to conserve this special place for decades. We want to ensure that our children and all future generations do not have to continue this fight. That’s why the Pit River Nation is calling for decisive action to protect Sáttítla as a national monument.
To protect our cultural heritage and our water, we have asked for monument protections for approximately 200,000 acres in the Shasta-Trinity, Klamath and Modoc National Forests on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Designating a national monument would enable federal agencies to collaborate with our tribal nation to steward and preserve cultural resources and lands, thereby providing a greater opportunity for public input on how those lands are managed.
Studies from hydrologists and environmental scientists confirm the significance of the aquifers in supplying water to a vast region of California. Rain and snow melt feed these underground aquifers beneath Medicine Lake Highlands. These waters sustain world-class trout fisheries, irrigate agricultural fields and quench the thirst of cities to the south.
Preserving Sáttítla as a national monument is more than protecting a localized water source: A national monument status will also ensure the well-being of the Fall and Sacramento rivers, as well as communities downstream. It will also provide resilience to drought and climate change.
To ensure the preservation of this space, immediate action is needed from President Joe Biden to protect this invaluable cultural and natural heritage area. We ask the president to use his power to take concrete steps that address the imminent danger these lands face. We stand on the precipice of losing a vital piece of our heritage while also recognizing that these lands are a living tapestry where the past interweaves with the present.
The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated: Large-scale geothermal energy development poses a significant risk to the spiritual sanctuary of our people and the survival of communities both near and far. It is heartening to witness growing support from state leaders, including Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the California Natural Resources Agency, noting that the preservation of the Medicine Lake Highlands transcends political affiliations and geographical boundaries; it embodies a shared understanding that failing to take action jeopardizes the delicate balance of nature which sustains us all.
We urge our leaders to not only stand with their promise of cultural preservation, but also their commitment to protect U.S. lands and waters in light of climate change and rapid population growth.
Come bear witness: We are not merely preserving lands; we are preserving our culture, history and resources to ensure our survival.
Radley Davis is a Pit River Nation citizen and Sáttítla National Monument Campaign Tribal representative.
