REFERENCE TITLE: national monument designation; opposition

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-fourth Legislature First Regular Session 2019

HCM 2005

Introduced by Representative Griffin

 

A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL

 

Urging the Congress of the United States to decline to designate the Great Bend of the Gila River and surrounding areas as a national monument.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

To the Congress of the United States of America:

Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, the Gila River stretches nearly 600 miles across Arizona and has supported Arizona's people for thousands of years; and

Whereas, Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva introduced H.R. 6521, the Great Bend of the Gila National Monument Establishment Act (Act) on July 25, 2018; and

Whereas, national monument status has significant potential consequences that may negatively affect land management activities; and

Whereas, the proposed Great Bend of the Gila National Monument includes more than 84,000 acres of land along the Gila River in southwestern Arizona; and

Whereas, existing laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and many others, ensure the protection and responsible use of the Great Bend of the Gila River and its surrounding lands; and

Whereas, as of 2012, Arizona had the third highest total designated wilderness acreage in the United States with 4.5 million acres. Additionally, another 5.8 million acres were affected by special land use designations, including national monuments; and

Whereas, the Act allows the United States Secretary of the Interior to adjust the boundaries of the Great Bend of the Gila National Monument after enactment of the Act to include any "significant archaeological resources discovered."  The Act does not include standards or requirements related to such inclusion, leaving the boundaries of the monument virtually unknown; and

Whereas, the Act also allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land, both state and private, within or adjacent to the boundaries of the national monument.  Land and interest in land automatically become part of the national monument; and

Whereas, the Act removes all Great Bend of the Gila National Monument land from future sale, mining, mineral and geothermal leasing, and renewable energy and other economic development; and

Whereas, by preventing economic activity that generates income and tax revenue, national monument designation will have sweeping consequences for infrastructure, job creation and economic growth in surrounding areas and across this state; and

Whereas, imposing federal preservation management on Arizona lands obstructs this state's land management objectives and principles; and

Whereas, whether the federal government consults with this state in developing and implementing a management plan for the Great Bend of the Gila National Monument is at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior; and

Whereas, national monument designation results in some of the most restrictive existing land use regulations, greatly impacting travel and hunting, fishing and other recreational activities; and

Whereas, congressional designation of multiple use policy as per the Federal Land Management Policy Act is best for our citizens and Arizona's economy.

Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:

1.  That the United States Congress decline to designate the Great Bend of the Gila River and the surrounding areas as a national monument.

2.  That the United States Congress accept public input before designating another national monument in this state.

3.  That the United States Congress and President of the United States allow this state to provide express approval before federal designation of any new monuments, including the proposed Great Bend of the Gila National Monument.

4.  That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona, the Secretary of the Interior and the Governor of the State of Arizona.