The White House says the designations will nearly double the amount of public land that Obama has designated as national monument status since taking office.
Obama moves to protect 1.8 million acres of Calif. desert
President Barack Obama granted national monument status Friday to nearly 1.8 million acres of scenic Southern California desert, a move the White House says will maintain in perpetuity the region's fragile ecosystem and natural resources, as well as provide recreational opportunities for hikers, campers, hunters and others.
Obama, in California this week for a fundraising swing, signed proclamations establishing three regions as national monuments — Mojave Trails, Castle Mountains (both in the Mojave Desert) and Sand to Snow in the Sonoran Desert.
The White House says the designations will nearly double the amount of public land that Obama has designated as national monument status since taking office.
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