| Sáttítla Highlands National Monument | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
.JPG) Obsidian rocks onGlass Mountain | |
  Sáttítla National Monument  Sáttítla National Monument | |
| Location | Siskiyou County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°30′N121°30′W / 41.5°N 121.5°W /41.5; -121.5 |
| Area | 224,676 acres (909.23 km2) |
| Established | January 14, 2025 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
| Website | https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/national-monuments/sattitla-highlands-national-monument |
Sáttítla Highlands National Monument is anational monument in theMedicine Lake Highlands of theCascade Range ofNorthern California. The monument protects 224,676 acres (909.23 km2) of forest and mountain habitat inSiskiyou County from development. The nameSáttítla means "obsidian place" in theAchomawi language.[1]
In September 2024, SenatorAlex Padilla introduced federal legislation to create the monument, with support from SenatorLaphonza Butler.[2][3] President Joe Biden established the monument by proclamation under theAntiquities Act on January 14, 2025.[4][5][1]
The monument protects theMedicine Lake Volcano and surrounding highlands inKlamath National Forest,Shasta–Trinity National Forest, andModoc National Forest northeast ofMount Shasta and south ofLava Beds National Monument. These highlands provide clean water for communities downstream through its extensive aquifers.[6] The area includes numerouscinder cones andlava fields. The Giant Crater has the world's longestlava tube system.[1]
TheVolcanic Legacy Scenic Byway includes a segment that loops around Medicine Lake.[7]
ThePit River Tribe has spearheaded calls for land protection.[8] The tribe has opposed development of geothermal energy in the area.[3]
The California legislature unanimously passed a resolution in support of the monument.[9] The Forest Service hosted a public meeting about the proposed monument in December 2024.[10]
On January 2, 2025, theWashington Post reported that President Biden would establish Sáttítla Highlands National Monument along withChuckwalla National Monument.[11] Biden planned to do so at an event in theCoachella Valley on January 7, but it was canceled due to aSanta Ana windstorm and rescheduled to be at the White House on January 14.[12][13] The proclamation calls for co-stewardship and management of the monument with Tribal Nations.[1]
On March 15, 2025, PresidentDonald Trump signaled that he would rescinded the creation of the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument and Chuckwalla National Monument, saying that they "lock up vast amounts of land from economic development and energy production",[14] but no executive order was released.[15] There is no legal authority for undoing establishment of a national monument.[15]