Rep. LaMalfa Statement on Sáttítla National Monument Designation

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s designation of two new national monuments in California under the Antiquities Act of 1906. This move, which includes the Sáttítla area around Medicine Lake, marks yet another instance of executive overreach by this adminstration in its final days:

“While I appreciate the importance of preserving our natural areas, I have concerns about the designation of the Sáttítla-Medicine Lake area as a national monument and oppose the use of the Antiquities Act to bypass Congress’ role. This land is already under federal jurisdiction, and adding more federal rules will create unnecessary challenges for land management, particularly in wildfire prevention and maintaining usage for local residents. There is no pressing need for this action—especially to the tune of 206,000 acres, in the waning days of this Administration. Instead, it serves as a last-minute dig at those who oppose a 100% hands off approach to land use and management, when the area impacted has consistently rejected this Administration’s policies.

Medicine Lake holds significant cultural and recreational value, and it’s crucial that any designations do not hinder the ability to manage these lands effectively or limit usage for those who rely on them, including for hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, off road vehicle use, and fire mitigation. This action wasn’t needed, and I believe it should be scaled down or reversed later this month.”