Federal government will not rid 27 national monuments

—The Carrizo Plain, along with 26 national monuments, was under threat of elimination due to President Trump’s April 2017 executive order regarding land protected by the Antiquities Act. The review by Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Interior, was released on Aug. 24 and confirmed that all 27 national monuments will not be eliminated. The review did not provide specifics in regard to future plans or address specific national monuments. It also did not dismiss the options of downsizing land for the monuments or allowing drilling or harvesting industries access to the land.

If protections are weakened for the national monuments and industries work on the land, the monuments may become unattractive and result in elimination. The Carrizo Plain is a draw for tourists due to the wildflower bloom. It also has the largest concentration in California of endangered and threatened species, according to the Nature Conservancy.

Mayors from San Luis Obispo County sent a letter to Secretary Zinke regarding the necessity of protection for the Carrizo Plain on Aug. 23. Governor Jerry Brown announced his intention to sue if President Trump allows industries such as timber harvesting and oil drilling in California national monuments.

For more information about the Carrizo Plain and to help support its protection, visit savethecarrizo.org.