|
REFERENCE TITLE: Arizona national monuments |
|
State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-seventh Legislature Second Regular Session 2026
|
|
HCM 2014 |
|
|
|
Introduced by Representatives Peshlakai: Aguilar, Austin, Blattman, Connolly, Contreras L, Contreras P, Crews, De Los Santos, Garcia, Gutierrez, Márquez, Mathis, Sandoval, Travers, Tsosie, Villegas, Volk
|
A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL
urging the United States Congress to continue to support and recognize the economic, cultural and recreational value of Arizona's national monuments.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
To the Congress of the United States of America:
Your memorialist respectfully represents:
Whereas, the State of Arizona hosts an exceptional constellation of nationally designated monuments and public lands that embody the heritage, cultural traditions and economic future of the southwest; and
Whereas, public lands serve as core economic drivers for Arizona's gateway communities through recreation, tourism, guided tours, outfitting, lodging, hospitality, outdoor-gear sales and services and other businesses that rely on visitors exploring our landscapes; and
Whereas, public lands that are managed for multiuse, including hunting, fishing, grazing, hiking, biking, wildfire viewing, mining, forestry and cultural practices, sustain diverse economic opportunity as well as the traditions of indigenous communities that have stewarded these lands for time immemorial; and
Whereas, strong bipartisan forward-looking policies and sound management of federal lands ensure that Arizona remains competitive for recreation-driven jobs and long-term growth, giving local businesses and rural communities the certainty needed to invest; and
Whereas, the network of public lands in Arizona is composed of 3.7 million acres of federally protected lands, making up 5% of this state's landmass, and includes the following national monuments:
1. Agua Fria National Monument.
2. Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.
3. Canyon de Chelly National Monument.
4. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
5. Chiricahua National Monument.
6. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.
7. Hohokam Pima National Monument.
8. Ironwood Forest National Monument.
9. Montezuma Castle National Monument.
10. Navajo National Monument.
11. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
12. Pipe Spring National Monument.
13. Sonoran Desert National Monument.
14. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
15. Tonto National Monument.
16. Tuzigoot National Monument.
17. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument.
18. Walnut Canyon National Monument.
19. Wupatki National Monument; and
Whereas, the examples of the impact and value of Arizona's national monuments are countless, and this memorial highlights three monuments from different regions of the state that represent over a century of conservation, cultural preservation and economic benefits; and
Whereas, the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, established in 2023, encompasses 917,618 acres of public land surrounding Grand Canyon National Park and is jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service; and
Whereas, this monument protects more than 3,000 known cultural and historic sites sacred to tribal nations, including the Havasupai, Hopi, Navajo and Zuni, while safeguarding critical water resources, including seeps, springs and groundwater systems that feed the Colorado River, a lifeline for more than 40 million people; and
Whereas, multiple land uses, such as traditional hunting, grazing, public access, military and aviation use, recreation and existing industries, remain permitted within certain national monuments, maintaining a balanced approach that supports both conservation and economic opportunity; and
Whereas, the tourism and outdoor recreation industry in northern Arizona, particularly in Coconino County, far exceeds the short-term gains of uranium mining, with national monuments driving job creation and long-term economic growth, with the outdoor recreation economy alone contributing $639.5 billion to the United States gross domestic product in 2023; and
Whereas, the monument continues Arizona's proud tradition of protecting public lands that honor indigenous heritage, strengthen local economies and ensure clean water, healthy forests and thriving recreation for future generations; and
Whereas, the Chiricahua National Monument, managed by the National Park Service and established in 1924, spans over 12,000 acres in southeastern Arizona and is renowned for its towering rhyolite rock formations and biodiversity; and
Whereas, Chiricahua serves as a cornerstone of southeastern Arizona's outdoor recreation and tourism economy, drawing visitors from around the world and providing sustained economic opportunities in nearby gateway communities such as Wilcox; and
Whereas, in 2017, visitors to Chiricahua National Monument spent $3.7 million in local gateway communities, supporting 52 jobs, $1.2 million in labor income, $2 million in value added and $3.8 million in total economic output; and
Whereas, Chiricahua also preserves sites of deep cultural and historical importance to indigenous and Latino communities, celebrating the unique heritage and traditions that continue to define Arizona's identity and connection to the land; and
Whereas, maintaining and celebrating Chiricahua National Monument demonstrates the balance between conservation, access and economic vitality that strengthens Arizona's rural communities; and
Whereas, the Ironwood Forest National Monument, established in 2000 and managed by the Bureau of Land Management and State Trust, encompasses more than 189,600 acres of Sonoran Desert landscape that is rich in biological, historical and recreational value; and
Whereas, the monument supports traditional multiuse activities such as hunting, ranching and recreation, balancing conservation with continued local access; and
Whereas, Ironwood Forest contributes significantly to southern Arizona's outdoor recreation economy, attracting visitors for wildlife viewing, camping and hiking, which in turn supports small businesses and gateway communities like Marana and Red Rock; and
Whereas, the monument preserves important cultural sites and traditional uses by Latino and tribal communities, protecting both the land and the heritage that has shaped generations of Arizonans; and
Whereas, the conservation and responsible management of Ironwood Forest exemplify how federal lands can simultaneously safeguard ecological integrity and serve as engines of local economic growth and community well-being, helping to drive an increase in nonlabor income by 54% from 2001 to 2015; and
Whereas, the protected landscapes of Arizona's national monuments provide opportunities for hunting, birdwatching, hiking and environmental education, supporting Arizona's position as a national leader in outdoor recreation and tourism; and
Whereas, the Antiquities Act of 1906 grants the President of the United States the authority to establish national monuments to protect areas of historic and scientific significance and has been used by 18 presidents from both parties to proclaim more than 160 national monuments since 1906; and
Whereas, strong public support exists for national monuments in Arizona, with 87% of Arizonans supporting the creation of new national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges, as well as tribal protected areas; and
Whereas, the Legislature of the State of Arizona recognizes the critical role national monuments play in preserving Arizona's heritage, water resources and outdoor recreation economy.
Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:
1. That the United States Congress continue to maintain the national monuments located in Arizona and strive to ensure the continued vitality of Arizona's federal lands to support heritage, economy, recreation and multi-use management.
2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the United States, the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, the Chief of the United States Forest Service, the Governor of the State of Arizona and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.