Arizona: Joe Biden Signs Proclamation Creating National Park Around Grand Canyon

President Joe Biden has fulfilled the longstanding aspirations of Native American tribes and environmental advocates by signing a national monument designation for Arizona's greater Grand Canyon region.

This declaration, symbolically made against the breathtaking backdrop of the mountainous terrain, came as part of President Biden's Western trip, spanning three states, AP reports.

The newly designated national monument encompasses approximately 1,562 square miles (4,046 square kilometers) of land north and south of the Grand Canyon National Park.

This area comprises diverse landscapes, including canyons, plateaus, and tributaries, which sustain various flora and fauna, including bison, elk, desert bighorn sheep, and rare cactus species.

This act marks President Biden's fifth monument designation.

Tribes in Arizona had long advocated for creating a new national monument named Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni, a designation deeply meaningful to the local Havasupai and Hopi communities.

President Biden acknowledged the significance of this endeavor, with "Baaj Nwaavjo" translating to "where tribes roam" about the Havasupai people and "I'tah Kukveni" signifying "our footprints" for the Hopi tribe.

President Biden expressed his conviction that preserving these lands is a positive step for Arizona and the entire planet.

He underscored the multifaceted benefits, including economic prosperity and a deep connection to the nation's spirit.

His address, delivered amidst the grandeur of the landscape, reaffirmed the importance of this conservation effort and its resonance with the well-being of the land and its people.

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Republicans Criticize Joe Biden's Proclamation of New National Park

The recent national monument designation for the greater Grand Canyon area has encountered criticism from House Republicans, who have called for an investigation into the selection of monument boundaries and the potential impacts on mining and energy development, according to POLITICO.

These Republicans argue that the designation could hinder uranium mining, which they believe is vital for bolstering U.S. energy independence, especially considering Russia's significant presence in supplying low-enriched uranium for nuclear reactors.

Nathan Rees, the Arizona field coordinator for Trout Unlimited, highlighted the broad support the site has garnered, transcending partisan lines and encompassing hunters and anglers within the state.

Rees commended the administration for honoring the wishes of countless individuals eager to safeguard this picturesque landscape's natural splendor.

He also underscored the region's historical concerns associated with uranium mining, further justifying the conservation effort.

It's worth noting that while the national monument designation will temporarily halt new mining claims within the area, its implementation under the Antiquities Act does not necessarily imply a complete cessation of all extraction activities.

The dynamics between the mining industry, Indigenous tribes, and environmental advocates, which have spanned decades, may not be entirely resolved by this designation.

Joe Biden Says Grand Canyon Is "One of the 9 Wonders of the World" in Latest Gaffe

During a speech focused on his administration's climate and conservation efforts, President Joe Biden committed an error by incorrectly stating that the Grand Canyon is one of the "nine" wonders of the world, Fox News noted.

At Red Butte Airfield in Arizona, near the Grand Canyon, Biden described it as "one of the Earth's nine wonders, wonders of the world."

However, the generally recognized list of world wonders consists of seven sites, which do not include the Grand Canyon.

The Seven Wonders of the World include the Great Wall of China, Chichén Itzá in Mexico, Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, the Colosseum in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in India.

Nevertheless, the Grand Canyon is on the list of seven natural wonders of the world, compiled by CNN in 1997.

This list also features the northern lights, the Great Barrier Reef, the Harbor at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Parícutin in Mexico, Victoria Falls on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, and Mount Everest.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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