This bill establishes a new 621,000-acre Chuckwalla National Monument in California and expands Joshua Tree National Park by approximately 17,842 acres. The monument protects ecologically significant desert land that is home to over 150 plant species, numerous wildlife species including threatened desert tortoises and bighorn sheep, and contains important archaeological and cultural sites sacred to six Native American tribes including the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mohave, and others. The legislation allows ongoing recreation including hiking, hunting, camping, and motorized vehicle use on designated routes, while preserving existing utilities, renewable energy development in nearby areas, and military activities. The Secretary of Interior must establish a Tribal Commission with representatives from culturally affiliated tribes and a 19-member Advisory Council within 180 days, develop a comprehensive management plan within three years, and conduct ethnographic and cultural resource surveys to identify and protect sacred sites and resources important to Native tribes. The bill does not specify federal funding amounts but requires the Secretary to consult with tribes and other stakeholders in all management decisions.
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