Rep. Titus Introduces Legislation Establishing Avi Kwa Ame National Monument

Originally published in Red Lake Nation News

Read here: Rep. Titus Introduces Legislation Establishing Avi Kwa Ame National Monument

Washington, D.C. – Today Representative Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District introduced H.R. 6751, the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Establishment Act of 2022. This legislation will designate Avi Kwa Ame as a National Monument and permanently protect nearly 450,000 acres of biologically diverse and culturally significant lands within the Mojave Desert. Representative Titus previously led pushes to designate Tule Springs, Basin & Range, and Gold Butte.

“Spirit Mountain and the surrounding Mojave Desert region that make up Avi Kwa Ame contain biologically diverse and culturally significant lands which are a source of pride for Southern Nevadans,” said Representative Titus. “I’m grateful to the grassroots organizations and community leaders who have been working on this issue for years. Together we can protect these sloping bajadas, scenic canyons, and ancient cultural sites for future generations to enjoy.”

A robust coalition of tribes, local communities and leaders, conservation groups, recreation interests, and other stakeholders have worked over two years to carefully craft and secure agreement on the monument boundary, and the monument proposal enjoys the formal support from the gateway communities of Boulder City, Searchlight and Laughlin. Coalition members applauded this important milestone of legislation introduction:

“The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe thanks Congresswoman Titus for her leadership and actions to get this monument proposal across the finish line,” said Timothy Williams, Chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. “Avi Kwa Ame is a cultural landscape that is the center of creation for Mojave people, and this heritage is passed down from generation to generation through oral history, song, ritual, and religious practices which we continue to this day. Avi Kwa Ame means something deeper to us than anything else in our livelihoods will ever mean. It lives within our heart, it is in our souls.”

“Nevada’s outdoor recreation economy supports 49,000 jobs and generates $3.9 billion for the state in annual economic activity. I am confident that by protecting Avi Kwa Ame we will also be protecting and expanding economic opportunity for those who call Laughlin, Searchlight, and Cal Nev Ari home,” said Michael Naft, Clark County Commissioner. “I’m grateful for the unanimous support of my colleagues on the Clark County Commission and look forward to Congresswoman Titus’s continued leadership on this issue in Washington, D.C.”

“Designating Avi Kwa Ame as a national monument is a crucial step toward preserving the ecological and cultural resources in the region while protecting access for hiking, camping and activities that drive the growing outdoor recreation economy,” Ben Alexandro, Senior Government Affairs Advocate at the League of Conservation Voters, said. “We appreciate Rep. Titus’s leadership on this bill and the efforts of local advocates, Indigenous leaders, and the nearby communities to build support for a national monument designation.”

“Outdoor recreation is a critical source of economic activity for Boulder City and its residents. Protecting Avi Kwa Ame will not only bolster our local economy but will continue Boulder City’s great tradition of protecting the unique desert landscapes that we love,” said Boulder City Councilman James Adams. “I am proud to support this legislation in Congress and look forward to working with Congresswoman Titus to see it passed.”

Avi Kwa Ame coalition partners: Conservation Lands Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, Native Voters Alliance Nevada, Nevada Conservation League, BattleBorn Progress, The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, Friends of Walking Box Ranch, Get Outdoors Nevada, International Dark Sky Alliance, Las Vegas Astronomical Society, National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Friends of the Earth, Nevada Wildlife Federation, Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Friends of Sloan Canyon

Other supporters: Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, Clark County Commission, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, Boulder City Council, Laughlin Town Advisory Board, Laughlin Tourism Commission and Chamber of Commerce, Searchlight Town Advisory Board, Alan O’Neil, former Lake Mead National Recreation Area Superintendent, Defenders of Wildlife, Las Vegas Indian Center, Native American Alliance, CSN, Native American Student Association, UNLV, Protectors of Tule Springs, Save Red Rock