New national monument secures tribal lands

Jan 08, 2025
By Farms.com

Sáttítla highlands designated as national monument

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today celebrated the Administration's designation of the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, a significant step in preserving Northern California's Tribal lands and biodiversity.

This new national monument, covering nearly 225,000 acres, safeguards a landscape rich in history and natural resources.

"This landscape, which has been occupied by Indigenous peoples for more than 5,000 years, continues to be integral to Tribal religious and cultural practices despite a history of forced dispossession," Vilsack stated.

The new monument spans nearly 225,000 acres across the Modoc, Shasta-Trinity, and Klamath National Forests, safeguarding unique geological features, rare flora and fauna, and crucial underground aquifers.

In addition to its environmental significance, the monument designation supports local communities by safeguarding water sources and enhancing recreational and scenic values. It also advances initiatives for wildfire prevention and resilience in surrounding areas.

The USDA continues to touch lives positively under the Administration, promoting resilient food systems and fair markets while ensuring equitable access to resources. For more on their efforts, visit USDA.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.