Summary:
- President Joe Biden announces the creation of a new national monument near the Grand Canyon.
- The designation protects over 4,000 square kilometers from mining and industrial use.
- Local tribes and conservationists welcome the move to safeguard fragile ecosystems and cultural sites.
- Opposition to the monument comes from those concerned about uranium deposits and mining.
- This is the fifth national monument established by President Biden, highlighting his commitment to conservation.
President Joe Biden announced the creation of a new national monument in Arizona's Greater Grand Canyon region. The designation protects more than 4,000 square kilometers from new mining operations and other industrial uses, while allowing citizens more access. Today marks an historic step in preserving the majesty of this place, first among American landmarks, sacred to tribal nations.
Local tribes and conservationists have long advocated for protecting the region around one of America's most popular national parks, which contains fragile ecosystems and water sources, as well as cultural sites that had been off limits. Maya Toulousey Little is a youth leader in the Hopi and Havasupai tribes. Standing here at Rebut represents the unity of the tribes to protect our ancestral lands. From time immemorial, more than a dozen tribal nations have lived, gathered, prayed on these lands. But some 100 years ago they were forced out. That very act of preserving the Grand Canyon as a national park was used to deny indigenous people full access to their homelands. Representative Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican who serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, is among those who opposed the plan, writing that the designation would permanently withdraw the richest and highest grade uranium deposits in the United States from mining, according to the Associated Press. This is the fifth national monument created by the President, a priority he linked to conservation and the climate crisis. Matt Thibble for VOA News, Oakland, California.
The creation of this new national monument near the Grand Canyon marks a significant achievement in preserving natural and cultural heritage. Despite differing opinions, President Biden's decision emphasizes the importance of conservation and protecting sacred lands. As visitors gain increased access to the protected area, the monument stands as a testament to the unity of tribal nations and their dedication to safeguarding ancestral lands for future generations.