12.28.16

Grijalva Applauds President Obama for Designating Two New National Monuments; Remains Optimistic Grand Canyon is Next

Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) praised President Obama for taking another pivotal step in cementing his environmental legacy by establishing two new national monuments that will protect Native American lands, as well as critical environmental, historical and cultural resources. Today, under the Antiquities Act of 1906, Obama designated Gold Butte in Nevada and Bears Ears in Southern Utah. The President’s announcement failed to include the proposed Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument in Northern Arizona, but Grijalva and his supporters remain optimistic that the designation will happen before Obama leaves the White House next month.

“I applaud President Obama for continuing to cement his environmental legacy by designating two monuments that protect Native American historical sites, unique habitats, and important landscapes for future generations,” Grijalva said. “Our do-nothing Republican Congress proved to be ineffective, so I’m thankful President Obama stepped in to get the job done.”

“While I’m disappointed that the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument was left out, I remain hopeful and optimistic that President Obama will uphold his promise to tribal communities and designate the monument before he leaves office. The President’s use of the Antiquities Act is more important now than ever as President-elect Trump is 23 days away from taking office and is bringing his cabinet of corporate billionaires with him that have every intention of drilling on America’s public lands.”

More than a year ago, Grijalva introduced the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument Act, a bill crafted in consultation with Tribal leaders from Northern Arizona to stop uranium mining in the region and protect environmental, historical and Native American cultural resources. Grijalva received strong support locally – 80 percent of Arizonans spanning across political parties and geographical regions support creating the monument – while also uniting environmental, Native American and historical preservation advocates nationally to support the monument.

Despite the fact that sixteen out of nineteen presidents since 1906, both Democrats and Republicans, have used the Antiquities Act, Republicans in Congress are eager to dismantle the Act. The Antiquities Act has protected some of our nation’s most historic landmarks and natural landscapes, but now House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) has threatened to reverse several designations under the incoming Republican Administration – an unprecedented act.

For more information about the Grand Canyon Monument and Grijalva’s bill, visit the House Natural Resources Committee website: http://bit.ly/2hgV2Ao. 

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