Flagstaff, AZ – More than 2.5 million comments, including thousands from Arizonans and indigenous representatives, have been collected in support of national monuments as part of a “review” initiated by the Trump administration. Led by Interior Secretary Zinke, the intent of the review is to undermine and rollback protections for some of the country’s most beloved public lands. Arizona monuments from north to south have been targeted by this review, including Grand Canyon-Parashant and Vermilion Cliffs, north of Grand Canyon, Sonoran Desert just southwest of Phoenix, and Ironwood Forest, north of Tucson.
In response Celia Barotz, Flagstaff City Councilwoman, issued the following response:
“The tremendous outpouring of public support for national monuments, especially our northern Arizona monuments – Grand Canyon-Parashant and Vermilion Cliffs, demonstrates Americans’ and Arizonans’ deep appreciation for our wild places. I urge Secretary Zinke to listen to the millions of people who want to see our national monuments remain protected and not sold to the highest bidder for corporate gain.”
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