Threatened and in Need of Protection
The Pit River Tribe has continuously defended the lands and waters of Sáttítla including pursuing litigation over violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal laws.
The Tribe’s successful litigation has resulted in recognition that development is inappropriate for these lands and could have disastrous impacts on the underground web of aquifers.
Despite broad acknowledgment of the region’s importance—both culturally and ecologically—more than two dozen federally issued industrial geothermal development leases have been issued for these unique lands. There are continued attempts by multinational companies to harness resources that experts have said are not economically viable.
Development in the national forest would increase traffic, noise, water, and air pollution and would fragment wildlife habitat. Geothermal development in particular would include the injection of hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids and the release of arsenic, mercury, hydrogen sulfide, and other toxic substances into the air that are known to cause cancer or birth defects.
This would turn the remote landscape into an industrial wasteland that threatens a reliable source of pure water for millions of people.
While lawsuits have been successful in invalidating geothermal lease extensions and halting two proposed geothermal projects, there is a need to constantly defend the Medicine Lake Highlands. It’s simply a place not suitable for development.
THREATS
Geothermal power plants
Utility lines
Clear-cutting of the forest
Hydraulic fracturing through Enhanced Geothermal Systems
All continue to be a threat to the sacredness and ecological importance of the Medicine Lake Highlands’ lands and waters.
Proposal for Protection
Sáttítla and the Medicine Lake Highlands needs swift action to ensure permanent protection.
The Pit River Tribe conceived of and is leading the effort to establish a national monument for Sáttítla. The hope is to fend off the ongoing threat of development and to protect the ability of future generations of Indigenous people to celebrate cultural practices as they have for thousands of years and for the public to simply enjoy the beauty and healing power of this magnificent landscape.
Extensive work has been done to analyze the cultural, natural, hydrologic, and historic values of the area over the past couple of decades as well as to bring together local communities to unite around the protection of a little more than 200,000 acres of US Forest Service managed public land in Siskiyou County, California.
Designating Sáttítla in the Medicine Lakes Highlands as a national monument will create an opportunity for federal agencies to work with Tribal nations to steward important cultural resources and lands.
In June of 2023, the National Congress of American Indians aligned with the Pit River by passing its own resolution supporting the establishment of a new Medicine Lake Highlands National Monument.
Many agree with the Pit River Tribe that the Medicine Lakes Highlands must be protected to preserve this place for future generations and to conserve its rich ecological resources.
Learn more about the history of the Pit River Tribe by visiting the Tribal website.
