U.S. President Barack Obama used his executive authority to designate a 346,000-acre (140,080-hectare) landscape within the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles area, California, a national monument on Friday.
The designation marks the 13th time that Obama has used his executive powers to establish or expand a national monument without congressional approval.
"This incredible 346,000 acres (140,080-hectares) of rugged slopes and remote canyons are home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. The rare Arroyo Chub swims through the cool streams, while the California condor soars above the vistas. You can hike through the chaparral, amid wild lilacs and mountain mahogany," Obama said during a ceremony at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, California.
"It's not just the natural beauty of the San Gabriels that makes it invaluable," Obama said, "Within these hills lies millennia of history, including the ancient rock art of native peoples -- the first Americans. And just as this region teaches us about our past, it has always offered us a window into the future. It was here at the Mount Wilson observatory that Edwin P. Hubble showed the universe to be ever expanding."
The San Gabriel Mountains attracts over 3 million visitors every year and over 15 million people live within 90 minutes of it.
U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, who promoted the San Gabriel Mountains to be a national monument actively, said: "I am overjoyed and thrilled. This is an historic moment for the Los Angeles area, and it has been a long time coming. The San Gabriel Mountains are a treasure, providing 70 percent of the open space for Angelenos and attracting more than 3 million visitors a year."
Some critics, however, were against Obama for issuing the executive order.
"This action restricts access to public lands and would put nearly half of the Angeles National Forest under lock and key," said Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy.
"I strongly support multiple use of our national forests and other public lands, but this decision severely limits usage. I remain concerned about the impact the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument designation will have on recreation, fire prevention and suppression and private property, as well as the economic impacts to communities in and around the forest," he said.
Speaking directly to fears about restricted access, Obama said the federal government would work to ensure everyone "can enjoy all that this monument has to offer."
The Mountains is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, but critics contend the agency's lack of adequate funding has led to problems such as mounting trash and crimes.
According to the White House, the National Forest Foundation will commit 3 million U.S. dollars to a monument fund to support restoration and stewardship efforts.
Before his declaration, Obama attended a fund-raiser which has gathered 500,000 U.S. dollars from philanthropic and public funding to support recreation and habitat improvement projects in the monument and surrounding communities.