Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
PHOENIX – Today, Tribal Nations in Arizona announced a new federal effort to protect the greater Grand Canyon area.
Tribal leaders of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition were joined by Rep. Raúl Grijalva and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to announce a new effort to protect about 1 million acres of public lands near Grand Canyon National Park as a national monument. The designation would protect the region from toxic uranium mining, making permanent a ban on mining that was enacted administratively in 2012.
Tribal Nations have led this protection effort, joined by a coalition of conservation organizations, business owners, faith groups, and others.
In response, Sandy Bahr, director for Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter, released the following statement:
“The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic landscapes in the U.S. It is also sacred land to the Havasupai and at least 10 other Tribal nations, but these lands and waters are facing increasing threats from harmful uranium mining.
“This historic Tribal-led effort would protect lands that surround one of the country’s most famous national parks and safeguard lands and waters vital to the region, including the Red Butte Traditional Cultural Property. We ask the President to listen to Tribal leaders and the people of Arizona and establish the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon national monument.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.