President Obama declares portion of L.A.-area San Gabriel Mountains a national monument

SAN DIMAS, Calif., Oct. 10 (UPI) -- On Friday, President Obama addressed listeners at the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles as he dedicated 350,000 acres of the mountain range and its parks a national monument.

"Today I'm using my executive authority to designate the San Gabriel Mountains as a national monument," President Obama declared.

"These incredible 346,000 acres of rugged slopes, and remote canyons are home to an extraordinary diversity of wild life. The rare arroyo chub swims through the cool streams while the California condor soars above the vistas."

The national monument designation will provide added protection and resources for about half of the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests.

"It's not just the natural beauty of the San Gabriels that makes it invaluable. Within these hills lies millennia of history including ancient rock art of native peoples, the first Americans. And just as this region teaches us about our past, it as has always offered us a window into the future. It was here at the Mount Wilson observatory that Edward P. Hubble showed the universe to be ever expanding and its where astronomers still explore the mysteries of space. I can think of no better way to honor our past and protect our future than by preserving the San Gabriel Mountains."

Sierra Club director Dan Chu called the dedication a "wise move" that would not be possible without "years of collaboration amongst a vibrant and diverse network of community leaders, a reflection of the many important roles the area's mountains and rivers play for local communities."

"One hundred and fifty years ago, Sierra Club founder John Muir explored the steep and picturesque peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains and marveled at their beauty. The new San Gabriel Mountains National Monument affirms that protecting wild lands is still a popular endeavor for many Americans today. The wild is where you find it, whether that be an urban park or the vast wild spaces that make up much of our country's public lands. And no matter where it's found, the wild is worth protecting."

Located within an hour drive of over 17 million Southern Californians, the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests provide 70 percent of Los Angeles County's open space and attract over 3 million visitors per year, according to the Sierra Club.

"Yet for years this beautiful area has been underfunded and underserviced. A new national monument designation will improve visitor services with new bathrooms and trash cans, trail signs, and culturally-appropriate visitor information and education programs."