Rep. Paul Cook Redoubles Efforts to Remove Protections for California Desert National Monuments (Across California Patch)

Across California PatchAugust 17th, 2017 4:29 pmRep. Paul Cook has redoubled his efforts to adjust the boundaries of Mojave Trails National Monument while adding proposed changes to Castle Mountains National Monument. (Map of the proposed changes to Mojave Trails can be found here.)Rep. Paul Cook has suggested removing the southern portion of Mojave Trails National Monument, including important wilderness areas like the Cadiz Dunes and Sheephole Valley, and historic World War II training camps Iron Mountain and Granite. The proposed changes remove about 500,000 acres from the current boundaries. Castle Mountains National Monument, which was not originally included in the review, was nevertheless mentioned in a letter from Rep. Paul Cook to Secretary Zinke for the mining interests in the area. (Copy of the letter can be found here.)“The proposed changes to Mojave Trails and Castle Mountains National Monuments are a direct affront to the will of our community,” commented Danielle Segura, Executive Director, MDLT. “These recommendations from Rep. Cook are not in the best interest of the diverse desert communities who have fought for, and benefit from, these public lands”...Read Full Article