Tusayan News Release:TOWN OF TUSAYAN EXICITED TO JOIN NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON NEW 1.1 MILLION ACRE NATIONAL MONUMENT NEAR GRAND CANYON
August 8, 2023
President Biden visited Arizona this week and made climate change and his environmental agenda a focus of his stops on his Arizona tour. Leaders of local native tribes and environmentalist have spent years lobbying to protect areas near Grand Canyon National Park from potential uranium mining, which would threaten aquifers and water supplies. Local native tribes have asked Washington to double the protected area around the canyon by including 1.1 million acres of public lands as a Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. President Biden declared this a National Monument today.
The Town of Tusayan, a small community located on AZ State Route 64, one mile from the south entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, supports the noble effort of the local tribes and believes that consistent stewardship is vital to our area.
Clarinda Vail, the Mayor of Tusayan, stands with our indigenous neighbors in opposing uranium mining in our area. “Uranium mining has many negative impacts and under the mining act of 1872, would provide nothing in funding for these impacts to the local region. We look forward to future discussions with our native neighbors and State & Federal officials on any new developments to the Kaibab National Forest area surrounding Tusayan and Grand Canyon National Park. The services that the Kaibab National Forest Service provide to Tusayan and our area are essential for our area in forest management, flood control, fire protection, at will camping, grazing permits, hunting permits, off-road & trail access and more.” We would like to see the Forest Service remain in charge of these vital services to our community.”
Map of proposed Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument area
Proposed language H.R.4580 Establishing Monument:
Washington Post article 8/4/23:
Grand Canyon Trust article 4/11/23:
About Mining and Minerals through the Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management:
