National Monument for San Gabriels in Consideration

The San Gabriel Mountains may cause some legal headaches
if they become a national monument.
Image:  Shutterstock

Discussion has begun on whether or not to designate the San Gabriel Mountains in California as a national monument. Doing so would help address the crowding and pollution occurring in the area and would enhance opportunities for nearby residents to experience the mountains, which are within an hour’s drive for over 10 million people.

Currently, the area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, but they have struggled with upkeep and maintenance. Too much trash, too few rangers, and an overflow of people who seem to be taking over the area have had serious negative impacts on the mountains’ desireability.  If the area were given national monument designation, however, the Forest Service would be hard pressed to better enforce garbage and graffiti removal, add signage and biking trails, and implement education programs.

Surprisingly, the proposal has received much criticism. Many are worried about the potential effects the new status could have on private property rights, water quality in the area, and flood control in the mountains. Others wonder where the money for improvements will come from, since both the Forest Service and the federal budgets already seem quite tight.

"We have strong concerns about this proposal and its impacts," Tony Bell, spokesman for Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said Monday.

Many residents, however, are in huge support of the push and the many benefits it would create for the San Gabriel Mountains, despite possible legal changes.

"This designation would give public land managers the tools — and hopefully the money — to address their recreational needs and better protect this treasure trove of species, habitat, and free-flowing rivers," Daniel Rossman, spokesman for San Gabriel Mountains Forever said.