Desert Hot Springs mountain up for national monument

Mountain ranges overlooking Desert Hot Springs would be deemed a national monument under legislation introduced today by Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

The Sand to Snow National Monument is one of two preservation areas proposed by Feinstein, D-Calif., in the California Desert Protection Act of 2011, which would also expand Joshua Tree and Death Valley national parks and establish wilderness areas in Death Valley.

The bill would preserve about 1.6 million acres of public land across the California desert area, according to Feinstein's office.

"Sen. Feinstein has worked tirelessly to preserve the California desert that is a legacy of our American West,'' said Paul Spitler, associate director of The Wilderness Society. ``Her legislation will help ensure that the desert's unique and spectacular scenery will continue to attract visitors from around the world.''

Spitler said the area incorporates a dramatic diversity of landscape, animal and plant life.

The Sand to Snow National Monument would span the mountain ranges north of Interstate 10, known as the San Gorgonio Wilderness. It would stretch across about 162,000 acres, according to Bill Havert of Friends of the Desert.

The other proposed national monument is the Mojave Trails, a nearly 1 million acre area that would link already preserved areas of Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Preserve, according to David Myers, executive director of The Wildlands Conservancy.

"As a lifelong resident it's more important than ever to know that the best parts of this state -- like the desert -- are still part of the California dream,'' Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge said.

"But to make that a reality, we need this bill because it uses smart land use planning to preserve the desert's best recreation areas and essential green space for our cities.''

The bill is similar to one Feinstein introduced in 2010, but does not include provisions for renewable energy, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.