President Obama visited San Dimas and the San Gabriel Valley last Friday for the official designation of a new national monument north of Los Angeles within the Angeles National Forest. This region will become the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, which entitles the area to greater resources from the U.S. Forest Service.

“The national monument will help preserve and retell the rich multicultural history of the San Gabriel Mountains including many Native American archeological sites and sections of two national historic trails. It will also conserve important habitat for fish and wildlife habitat including Nelson’s Bighorn sheep, California condors, native fish and several endangered species,” said San Gabriel Mountains Forever, an organization who has pushed for the recognition for the past eleven years.

In recent times, the area has been overrun with 3 million annual visitors. The U.S. Forest Service has been unable to manage the graffiti, trash, crowding, crime and wildfires brought by visitors, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Supporters of the designation say the new status will enable the Forest Service to give priority to managing the safety of visitors, protecting natural resources and installing improvements. New parking areas, restrooms, educational kiosks and trails will be installed according to federal officials.

Residents of Santa Clarita are overjoyed by the new decision, says Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel, director of the Community Hiking Club in Santa Clarita. “Angelinos are so fortunate to have this jewel right in their back yard. Every single resident living in the county, and beyond, should visit the forest. The forest can “center” and revive you after a long, hard week. The fresh, clean air and the rushing river or trickling brook is the most delightful of sounds. When I need solitude, I head to the mountains,” said Erskine-Hellrigel.

Meanwhile amid concerns for property rights and fire control were cause for protest outside the office of Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), who introduced a bill this year to address problems in the mountain range.