Tulyeome’s Policy Corner: Big News Regarding the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion!

Nate Lillge • October 25, 2022

Snow Mountain from Molok Luyuk/Walker Ridge Road

This week, California legislators, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and a coalition of partners sent letters to President Biden asking him to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and protect Molok Luyuk (Condor Ridge). Protecting these public lands on the eastern edge of the Monument will honor their cultural significance and protect their unparalleled biodiversity, complex geology, wildlife cooridors, and amazing viewsheds.


The legislative delegation, led by Congressmen John Garamendi and Mike Thompson and Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein, requested that President Biden use his authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to add Molok Luyuk to the Monument, ensure co-management by federally recognized tribes, and rename the land Molok Luyuk, Patwin for Condor Ridge and colloquially known as Walker Ridge.


On Wednesday, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Chairman Anthony Roberts requested the protection of Molok Luyuk. “Many of the plant and animal species within Molok Luyuk are traditionally important to the lifeways of the Patwin people, and we consider their protection and stewardship to be part of our sacred responsibility to the land. Molok Luyuk was home to California condors as well as bald eagles, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons, and the area provides wildlife corridors and vital habitat for other culturally important species. The Yurok Tribe’s recent reintroduction of the California condor to the north of Molok Luyuk gives hope that condors will once again soar over the ridge,” said Yocha Dehe Tribal Chairman Anthony Roberts.


Tuleyome and a coalition of partners sent our own letter in support of protecting Molok Luyuk. “Molok Luyuk is a rare treasure of rich cultural heritage and sacred history, diverse wildlife and rare plants, and stunning natural beauty and accessible recreational activities,” said Sandra Schubert, Executive Director of Tuleyome, a local conservation organization. “We are deeply grateful to our Tribal and Congressional champions Reps. Garamendi and Thompson and Sens. Padilla and Feinstein for shepherding this effort. We encourage President Biden to expand the existing monument and permanently protect Molok Luyuk.”


More information about Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and the proposed expansion is available on our website.

To show your support for protecting Molok Luyuk, visit www.expandberryessa.org and sign the petition.


-Nate Lillge (nlillge@tuleyome.org)


Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director


Certified California Naturalist

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