Calling it a potentially “disgraceful” action, Tusayan Mayor Craig Sanderson has written a letter to President Obama urging him not to declare monument status for the land surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park. Here is a portion of that letter.

"It would be a disgraceful action if a National Monument was designated with a municipality inside it.that had never been consulted on its implications."

Tusayan leaders are convinced that monument designation would get in the way of Stilo’s controversial development project even though there are have been no legal opinions to that effect.

Environmentalists say Monument Status won't impact the Stilo project. Dr. Robin Silver of the Center for Biological Diversity says the problems with the Stilo project are so great that monument status won't make a difference.

The monument status designation is opposed by Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain. Congressman Raul Grijalva backs it. Rep. Anne Kirkpatrick has wavered on the issue according to the Sanderson letter.

Here is a link to the letter which was obtained via a public records request.