Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama following encouraging reports that he may abandon plans to lock up 1.7 million acres in Arizona by declaring a new national monument. The development comes during a multi-year effort by both senators, state and local lawmakers, and Arizona stakeholders to prevent another executive branch land-grab in a state which has had 23 total monuments designated by presidential decree.

“We have heard from a number of credible sources that both USDA and DOI have significant unresolved issues that prevent their recommending the designation of a new national monument. We continue to insist that no action be taken related to a monument designation during this administration without robust consultation with all the affected stakeholders. We are encouraged by recent reports that the administration appears not to be moving toward a monument designation at this time,” wrote the senators.

The signed letter to Obama can be viewed here.
Text of the letter can be viewed below.

Background: Flake and McCain also sent a letter to Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell today asking about the department’s position on designation a new monument in Arizona. The signed letter can be viewed here.

• On October 5, Flake and McCain sent a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack asking for details on the department’s participation in evaluating a possible new monument in Arizona. The signed letter can be viewed here.

• On October 4, Flake and McCain sent a letter to President Obama asking him to refrain from designating any additional national monuments in Arizona without first engaging with affected stakeholders, including local governments and state agencies. Enclosed with the letter were 16 statements from 42 elected officials, towns, and other stakeholders expressing concerns about a new designation including statements from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona State Lands Department, State Senator Gail Griffin, State Senator Steve Pierce, Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson, Town of Tusayan, and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The signed letter and supporting statements can be viewed here.

• On September 22, during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Flake advocated for stakeholder input on new monument designations in Arizona. Video of Flake’s opening statement can be viewed here.

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December 5, 2016

The Honorable Barack Obama
President
U.S. Department of Interior
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC, 20500-0004

Dear Mr. President,

We write to ask for clarification on the status of the administration’s actions relating to a possible new national monument in Arizona.

Our offices have received reports from within the administration that there have been efforts underway this year in the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Interior (DOI), and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to prepare a national monument designation similar to the one proposed in H.R. 3882, The Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument Act. We sent you a letter on October 3, 2016 urging you to listen to the wide range of Arizona stakeholders who have expressed concern over the potential impacts of a new monument.

Since that time, we have heard from a number of credible sources that both USDA and DOI have significant unresolved issues that prevent their recommending the designation of a new national monument. We continue to insist that no action be taken related to a monument designation during this administration without robust consultation with all the affected stakeholders.

We are encouraged by recent reports that the administration appears not to be moving toward a monument designation at this time.  We respectfully request that CEQ provide us with a briefing detailing the administration’s position, the actions CEQ has taken, and the current status of consultations between USDA, DOI and CEQ, regarding a potential new national monument designation in Arizona.

As always, we ask that this matter be handled in strict accordance with all applicable agency rules, regulations, and ethical guidelines.

Sincerely,

JEFF FLAKE                                                                                                            
United States Senator                                                             

JOHN McCAIN
United States Senator

 

cc: The Honorable Sally Jewell, Department of the Interior
The Honorable Thomas Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Christy Goldfuss, Council on Environmental Quality

 

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