Establishment of the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument

President Biden designated approximately 224,676 acres in northern California as the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument under the Antiquities Act, protecting lands sacred to multiple Tribal Nations including the Pit River and Modoc Peoples. The proclamation withdraws federal lands from entry, sale, mining, and mineral/geothermal leasing, and directs the Secretary of Agriculture through the Forest Service to develop a management plan within 3 years with extensive Tribal consultation and co-stewardship opportunities.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 6727

Impact dates

Jan 14, 2028
Management plan due

Key directives

Secretary of Agriculture shall manage monument through Forest Service as part of Modoc, Shasta-Trinity, and Klamath National Forests
Secretary shall prepare management plan within 3 years from date of proclamation, consulting Secretary of the Interior
Secretary shall establish Federal Advisory Committee Act advisory committee with balanced stakeholder representation
Secretary shall meaningfully engage Tribal Nations and explore co-stewardship opportunities
Secretary shall consider temporary closures for Tribal cultural/religious/gathering activities
Secretary shall prepare transportation plan designating allowed roads and trails for motorized/mechanized vehicles
Secretary shall explore cooperative agreements/contracts with Tribes under ISDEAA
Secretary shall protect sacred sites and provide Tribal access for traditional uses
No new grazing permits or allotments where grazing not currently allowed
Motorized vehicle use limited to existing inventoried roads/trails except for safety or object protection

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

National monument designation takes effect
Federal lands withdrawn from entry, location, selection, sale, mining, and mineral/geothermal leasing
Existing grazing permits continue as authorized

Near term (90d)

Advisory committee establishment under FACA
Initial Tribal Nation consultations on management plan
Exploration of cooperative agreements with Tribal Nations under ISDEAA

Long term

Management plan due within 3 years
Transportation plan preparation
Potential Tribal co-stewardship commission establishment and integration
Ongoing implementation of management plan with Tribal engagement

Risks & tensions

Potential conflict between conservation objectives and existing economic uses (grazing, mining claims, timber)
Tribal co-stewardship mechanisms depend on Tribal Nations independently establishing commission; not guaranteed
Motorized recreation restrictions may generate local opposition
Management plan timeline (3 years) creates extended period of regulatory uncertainty
Valid existing rights preserved, creating potential for future litigation over scope
Water rights explicitly not reserved, leaving groundwater allocation tensions unresolved
Military overflight and training exemptions may conflict with 'natural quiet' and dark sky preservation goals