Vet Voice Foundation Statement on Secretary Haaland’s visit to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Proposed Expansion Site

Washington, D.C. — Earlier today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited Molok Luyuk, the proposed expansion area of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Molok Luyuk is Patwin for “Condor Ridge” and is a name provided by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Molok Luyuk is pronounced “Ma.lok Lue.yoke.” Currently the area is referred to as “Walker Ridge” and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. In reaction to the secretary’s visit, Vet Voice Foundation CEO, Janessa Goldbeck, released the following statement:

“Day in and day out, we’re reminded of what an absolute all-star Secretary Haaland is – and how thankful we are that she leads our Interior Department. Today just adds to it. With her visit to Molok Luyuk, Secretary Haaland continued highlighting the Biden Administration’s commitment to our nation’s public lands and the goals laid out with their America the Beautiful agenda. 

“As the first Native person to serve as Interior Secretary, she truly understands the importance of protecting places special to all, but sacred to Native communities. As a public lands advocate, she fully recognizes that the Biden Administration’s agenda for our public lands is supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans. And as the daughter of two military veterans, Secretary Haaland appreciates the connection between veterans and military families and our public lands.”

“We were proud to advocate for the creation of the Berryessa National Monument and we’re equally proud to be standing with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in calling for President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to expand it.”