U.S. Senator tries to make three desert areas national monuments

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein wants to protect 3 desert landmarks.

Tuesday she was in Whitewater to push her plan she’s been working on for six years.

Now she’s asking President Obama to act, without Congress, to get it done.

There was barely enough room to fit the hundreds of people who turned out to discuss the potential desert monuments.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein started the meeting by addressing concerns with a promise to work with all concerned parties.

“Some people say ‘Oh you’re taking this away from us’ but it’s exactly the opposite. What we’re trying to do is protect the land for you,” Feinstein said.

She described her bill as a carefully balanced mix of recreation, conservation and renewable energy.

“This has been an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to come together to propose additional protections. So we can keep these areas open to the public and protect the things that are special about them. But keep out new industrial development,” Wildlands Conservancy Board Member April Sall said.

But under the Antiquities Act — if it is accepted –many important parts of the bill might be lost.

But supporters said the economic and tourism benefits are worth it.

“A designation means a destination. I think it brings economy to the community, to the area. It brings well-being to those who experience it. And we’re taking about 2 million visitors,” said Eva Soltes, who lives in Joshua Tree.

Others don’t like the idea of executive action.

“I’m afraid it would actually take away a lot of protections we have for miners, off road, etc., because we continue to lose lands,” said Johnny Scharnweber who is against making the areas monuments.

Feinstein made it clear she prefers to try to move the bill forward without the use of the Antiquities Act.

But said with the current political state, it will be hard to pass any land protection bill.