FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Contact: Sandy Bahr, sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org, (602) 253-8633
Sierra Club Condemns Gosar Attempt to De-Fund Ironwood Forest National Monument
PHOENIX -- Rep. Gosar (R-AZ) has introduced an amendment to an Interior Department funding bill that would withhold funding to manage Ironwood Forest National Monument, de-facto stripping the area and its resources of protections afforded by the monument.
In response, Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Director issued the following statement:
“Ironwood Forest National Monument is a special place that was, and has remained, protected as a national monument thanks to strong community support. The Tohono O’odham Nation, Pima County, Pinal County, and people throughout the region and the state, have been advocates for protecting the wonderful and resilient ironwood trees for which it is named, a small endangered cactus, and the significant cultural resources. Due to the strong affection for these lands, hundreds of volunteers have worked doggedly over many years to remove invasive plants to protect it and other monument resources. Arizonans have a lot invested in this beautiful diverse landscape, as well as our other national monuments, and we won’t allow it to be desecrated by the short-sightedness of an out-of-touch congressman.”
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