Veterans and tribes ask Biden to expand public lands in Lake, Colusa counties
Expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument would protect tribal lands, outdoor access
LAKEPORT >> National Monuments offer peaceful refuge and affordable recreation opportunities to many. Veterans and Tribal communities are calling for the assistance of President Joe Biden's office to expand the local Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. It was also requested by the Vet Voice Foundation.
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is comprised of federal public lands ranging from Napa County in the south to Mendocino County in the north. Local Tribes including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation are calling on President Biden to help protect native lands and cooperatively manage the lands with Tribes.
Founded in 2009, the mission of Vet Voice Foundation is, empower Veterans across the country to become civic leaders to continue their service and find new missions at home. Biden can expand it on his own using the Antiquities Act and local congressmen such as John Garamendi (D-8th) and Mike Thompson ( D- 4th) previously asked. “It helps protect a migration corridor for birds, elk, mountain lions and black bears,” she said. The local public lands expanse is known by the official name of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
Land is owned by the federal government.
Bills are pending to protect Molok Luyuk, direct the BLM to draft a plan, and change name from Walker Ridge to Molok Luyuk, Patwin for Condor Ridge.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act, Legislative bill, H.R. 1396, was reintroduced in the House on March 7, 2023, awaits action. The bill is championed by Representatives John Garamendi and Mike
Thompson. Senators Alex Padilla and the late Dianne Feinstein, reintroduced to the upper chamber, Senate Bill 683. It passed the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources on May 17, 2023 with unanimous, bipartisan support. If President Biden used the Antiquities Act it would expand the monuments and would permanently protect Molok Luyuk.
Vet Voice Foundation empowers military veterans to continue their public service once they leave active duty and they have done so ever since their founding in 2009. The nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) supports veterans' access to civic leadership throughout their retirement with additional training and the tools they need in California to continue public service, noted Janessa Goldbeck, CEO of Vet Voice Foundation and a Marine Corps veteran. “It's funded totally by philanthropic gifts or individual donations,” she said.”
“California's national monuments and other public lands have long provided service members and veterans with necessary refuge and respite from the demands of military service,” she said. “The already public, federally owned and maintained tracts are under the protection of the federal government.” One such place is the aforementioned Snow Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which offers free public access and is open when weather permits.
“These lands are places of reflection, reunion, and healing for millions of veterans throughout the country,” she added. “They also protect cultural resources, including military heritage sites, and important habitat, and help ensure access to nature for all communities.”
The mission of Vet Voice Foundation is to be a part of policy discussions, regarding public lands and work on getting improved health care and housing. “One of the issues important to vets
is accessing public lands and where many of them go to reconnect with family after returning from overseas or to heal from active combat or even while training,” Goldbeck said.
Another goal, for advocates is to return to the indigenous names to these lands. A specific request is for President Biden to expand the Monument designation to “Molok Luyuk”
the name in Patwin language.
The Vet Voice Foundation is eager to preserve even more Monuments noted Goldbeck, ref lecting upon her military service. “I served from 2012 to 2019 as a combat engineer officer (Captain), based at Miramar Air and then at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, also San Diego.”