Rally to support monument designation for Sand to Snow, Mojave Trail

Activists and valley residents rallied on Friday night for support to keep the national monument status for Sand to Snow, Mojave Trails and Caste Mountains.

High Desert residents say the designation helps protect a fragile ecosystem and is good for the economy.

The rally was held at the Indio Spanish SDA Church.

Sand to Snow National Monument designation under review

In April the Trump administration challenged the designation made by President Obama saying it was an overreaching with the executive order, and is putting it under review.

“Any kind of revision is really seen as an attack on public land and that’s a value that we have as Americans and we need to hold that special and that’s who we are,” said Danielle Segura, executive director of the Mojave Desert Land Trust.

Many celebrate the new Sand to Snow National Monument welcome sign

Without national monument designation it would open these areas up for industries like mining. People who live in the high desert say that would be bad for the ecosystem.

“The different types of animals that come down for the mountains and the pathways that they use will all be disrupted obviously,” said Mark Evans of Joshua Tree.

People at the rally argue it’s better economically to leave these areas pristine and make money from tourism.

Contact Congressman Paul Cook to share your thoughts on the monument designation.

JOE GALLI IS ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER @JOEGALLINEWS