By Terry Miller for the Monrovia Weekly
California’s 32nd Congressional District Judy Chu (Right) watching President Barack Obama sign the official designation of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in San Dimas, CA, on October 10, 2014. Photo by Jake Bigley. – Special for Beacon Media News.
What actually happened on 10-10-14 when President Obama took the stage with Judy Chu to declare parts of San Gabriel Mountains a National Monument? No one really can answer this and many other questions…which seems to beg the question, What good will this do and how much will it cost?
President Obama, in signing this proclamation last week, declared portions of the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests as the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
That particular action is distinct and different from the proposed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Judy Chu (HR 4858), which sought to create the San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area. But what does it mean?
“The action taken by to President to declare the National Monument was conducted under the auspices of the Antiquities Act. It is important to note that under the order, only federal lands are included in the National Monument designation, which means that no property owned by the City was impacted as a result of the Presidential action,” according to Monrovia Councilman Larry Spicer.
According to numerous NRA opponents, The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is a “surprising bypass of the democratic process and did not follow standard protocol for creating National Monuments, which usually require years of formal study and community outreach.” In point of fact, many have called the Chu bill and subsequent National Monument a “land grab.”
Two months ago, on August 18, Congresswoman Judy Chu asked the President to use his executive order to fast-track her legislative bill, HR4858, which calls for the creation of a “San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area.” This bill is being reviewed by a Congressional committee and does not currently have enough support to pass.
The president has apparently used the Antiquities Act of 1906 to create this National Monument- which he is legally entitled to do. The National Recreation Area requested by Congresswoman Chu’s HR4858 is not be interchangeable with a National Monument because they have differing land use implications and legal consequences which have not been studied, according to numerous reports.
Additionally, some local elected leaders have concerns over the impact to our water supply if the San Gabriel River is included in a National Monument. Many foothill cities receive their drinking water from this river, which could be restricted. Additionally, recreation access and land usage will be altered if this plan is implemented. New fees and permits are expected for winter sports, off road biking and hiking, and ATV’s.
Originally, Rep. Chu stated that an additional 270,000 acres the San Bernardino Mountains were also going to be included, but after mountains of objections from local leaders she backed down this week and removed San Bernardino and Mt. Baldy from the plan.
Opposition too came from Monrovia. “”However, under the National Recreation Area proposal that was advanced by Congresswoman Chu, many parcels of private property, including land currently owned by the City of Monrovia, would have been absorbed and taken over as a federal recreation area.
Given these distinctions, the actions of the President to declare the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument does not currently have any impact on property owned by the City of Monrovia. It is still unclear at this time, though, if there will be any future actions taken by Congresswoman Chu and / or the federal government to continue pursuit of a National Recreation Area. If those efforts persist, they could result in an impact on land owned by the City.
It is important to point out that the City of Monrovia did not take any official position on the National Monument designation. Furthermore, the City did request that Congresswoman Chu remove the City of Monrovia from being included in the boundaries of her proposed National Recreation Area legislation.”
Spicer concluded, “I understand, however, that Monrovia’s Mayor, Mary Ann Lutz, did attend the event where President Obama signed the order declaring the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Given that the City did not take an official position on the matter, the Mayor’s presence at the function should not be taken as an indication of the City’s support for the National Monument matter.”
Tom Adams told Beacon Media that “(Mayor) Lutz has worked both ends against the middle, she worked for it for political gain, then when the community was upset she said she was really against it. Sad.”
Meanwhile, Mary Ann Lutz told Beacon Media “The City letter did not oppose the legislation, but asked that our city land, parks, and wilderness preserve property be removed from the legislation boundaries. As to the question of water regarding the NRA bill I believe the San Gabriel Valley Water Association has endorsed the bill and they are the ones that have been working with the Congresswoman about water rights.
“I can report to you some clarifications. The Monrovia City Council requested that Congresswoman Chu remove our city property from the National Recreation Area legislation. The City letter did not oppose the legislation, but asked that our city land, parks, and wilderness preserve property be removed from the legislation boundaries. As to the question of water regarding the NRA bill I believe the San Gabriel Valley Water Association has endorsed the bill and they are the ones that have been working with the Congresswoman about water rights. Again they are a better more accurate source.
“Regarding the National Monument designation, the City of Monrovia did not take any position on this designation. One point about the National Monument designation since only applies to federal land, the City’s request to remove our city park and wilderness preserve is moot here since it is not federal land.
“Regarding the ceremony of the signing of the National Monument. I was personally invited by the White House as a citizen to attend, not representing the City of Monrovia.”
Source Beacon Media News