Phoenix, AZ-- Today, activists called on Interior Secretary Zinke to halt his review of Arizona’s national monuments. Four of Arizona's national monuments were on Zinke’s chopping block -- Recently Grand Canyon-Parashant was removed, but the other three -- Ironwood Forest, Sonoran Desert, and Vermilion Cliffs -- are still in danger of being reduced in size or stripped of their designation. The event featured retail giant REI who stands with the Sierra Club in denouncing efforts to sell out these monuments.
In response, Sandy Bahr Director of Sierra Club Arizona Chapter issued the following statement:
“Once again, Arizonans urged Zinke to keep public lands in public hands -- and to keep them open to the public, not closed for mining and other destructive activities. The archeological sites at Ironwood Forest host more than 8,000 years of human history and the monument hosts a rich diversity of plants and animals, including desert bighorn sheep. It is beyond illogical to put places such as this at risk.
“Tourism and the Arizona outdoor economy are critical for our state and public lands are an important part of that. The region surrounding the Sonoran Desert has boomed in job creation and income improvement since its designation.
“Public lands are the lifelines for many endangered species but their protection is under threat two-fold: the Trump administration’s intent to roll back protections for national monuments and a proposed border wall.
“This administration’s efforts to remove critical land and wildlife protections is part of an extreme political agenda which is detrimental to our communities, the economy, and wildlife.”
###