City Council Unanimously Supports Expansion of San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

The City Council unanimously approved a motion to support H.R 3681 also known as the San Gabriel Mountains Protection Act, which seeks to expand the areas covered by the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

The City Council’s action at its recent meeting also authorizes Mayor Victor Gordo to send a letter to President Joe Biden encouraging him to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. 

In 2014, President Barack Obama, who is also a former resident in Pasadena, designated 346,177 acres of federal lands as the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, including areas within the Angeles National Forest and the San Bernardino National Forest. 

The monument designation encompasses four wilderness areas-San Gabriel, Magic Mountain, Pleasant View Ridge and Sheep Mountain-and showcases unique geological features. 

The San Gabriel Mountains Protection Act, introduced by Congresswoman Judy Chu, would expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by adding an additional 109,167 acres of land from the National Forest System. The expansion would extend the monument’s borders to include the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys.  

“I requested that this matter be agendized in support of Congress Member Judy Chu and Senator Alex Padillla who are urging the President to protect the unique beautiful landscapes of California by investing in California and urging the President to do so using his authority under the Antiquities Act,” said Gordo. “I’m asking the council to provide me the authority to send a letter in support of that amendment and preserve 346,177 acres of federal lands as the San Gabriel Valley National Monument.” 

Pasadena Heritage sent a letter in support of the motion, saying the expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument will “preserve and protect some of Pasadena and Altadena’s most important natural resources, water resources and recreational assets.” 

Also see:

Padilla, Chu Urge Biden to Expand San Gabriel Mountains National Monument