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Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'It belongs to all of us': Advocates rally in support of protecting Arizona's public lands
Environmental groups and public lands advocates rallied at the Arizona Capitol March 27 to call on local, state and national elected officials to protect public lands as concerns grow over Trump administration plans to open those lands to mining and natural resource extraction. Addressing a crowd of about 200 people, the message from organizers was clear: "Keep public lands in public hands." The Arizona Rally for Public Lands and Waters was the work of multiple groups with interest in preserving public lands, including American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, CHISPA AZ and Canyon Coolers. The nonpartisan rally also featured former Havasupai Tribal Council member Carletta Tilousi, a lifelong advocate for the Grand Canyon. "You need to call your congressional people and let them know, do not touch our lands over here, because they were put aside for a reason," Tilousi told the crowd. "It's not just a Havasupai issue, it's not just an Indigenous people issue, it's an Arizona people issue." About 38% of Arizona's land is managed by federal agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Defense, according to the Congressional Research Service. In recent weeks, federal actions have targeted Arizona's federal public lands for domestic mining expansion, transfer to private ownership and workforce reductions. A 2024 Grand Canyon Trust poll showed 91% of Arizonans believed that the government has a responsibility to protect public land. The same poll showed 75% of Arizonans disapprove of selling public lands, including a 57% of Republicans. According to a report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation contributed over $14 billion to Arizona's economy in 2023 and employed over 100,000 people. "There could be nothing more democratic than our public lands. They're available to all, but only if we keep them that way," said Land Tawney of American Hunters and Anglers Action Network when speaking to the crowd. "It belongs to all of us, it's a shared heritage." Since taking office, President Donald Trump has issued several executive orders calling for increased mining on federal public land, citing economic needs and national security. Trump issued an order March 20 to expedite mining on federal lands to reduce reliance on foreign minerals, and in February, another order called for an investigation into the national security implications of importing copper. Public lands: Copper Creek mine foes say project would disrupt San Pedro River conservation Arizona is the biggest producer of copper in the U.S., so the orders could mean more mining in the state under an expedited permitting process that advocates fear could damage wildlife, waterways and fragile ecosystems. "Arizona and the Southwest is under threat of existing mining and future mining, which often puts economic interest above indigenous communities and public lands in general," said D.J. Portugal, organizing director of CHISPA AZ, a grassroots environmental justice advocacy group. "It's really important that we make sure that that push and fight for clean energy doesn't directly impact public lands." One of Interior Secretary Doug Burgham's first secretarial orders called for a review of national monuments and other public lands where new national resource extraction is prohibited. Arizona is home to 19 national monuments, including six that have been created since 2000. The Antiquities Act of 1906 gives presidents the power to create national monuments from existing federal lands. Reports have indicated that Trump administration may attempt to rescind two recent National Monument designations in California, leaving advocates for the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument concerned that protected area may be next. "This administration doesn't seem to have that knowledge or perspective of leaving something behind for our next generation to enjoy," said Tilousi, who spent years advocating for the monument's designation, in an interview after the rally. "If other monuments are on the chopping block, there's a great chance that all monuments are on the chopping blocks." Public lands cuts: Mass firings halt work, raise safety concerns in Arizona's national parks and forests Among the issues raised at the rally was the Trump administration's recent mass firings of federal employees working for the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service across the country. Described as a "Valentine's Day Massacre," the mass firings in February saw an estimated 1,000 probationary employees terminated from the National Park Service by the Department of Interior, including interpretive rangers, biology technicians and visitor center staff at Arizona's National Parks. An estimated 3,400 employees were terminated from the Forest Service the same weekend. Protests and rallies in support of the fired employees were organized nationwide, including crowds at Arizona's Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Parks. The sudden loss of employees meant some public land offices struggled with daily activities. Immediately following the terminations, reports of long lines at the south entrance to Grand Canyon National Park gained national attention. On Febr. 20, Saguaro National Park announced that both its visitor centers would be closed on Mondays until further notice. The park's statement did not provide a reason for the closure, but some commenters speculated the reduction in hours was due to the mass firings. Essential news every Tuesday: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's environment and climate newsletter On March 13, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate the terminated probationary employees, but advocates worry that the confusion from the firings, resignations and buyout offers are coercing staff to leave of their own will or face an uncertain future. "We're surrounded by public lands all around. I can walk out my back door and be on public lands. It's just been a large guiding part of my life, like exploring trails, being in the Grand Canyon. They're all reasons why I live in Arizona," said Neha Khurana, a Flagstaff resident who attended the rally. "I don't think people realize how much we need our forest and park staff to help maintain access to these places," Khurana said. "Not only are there so many people who have lost their jobs, but we'll see those effects in our parks very soon." John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to Environmental coverage on and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Advocates rally at Capitol to support protecting Arizona's public land
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Outdoor enthusiasts rally at Arizona Capitol to defend public lands from federal cuts
A sign made by an attendee at a rally in support of public lands at the Arizona Capitol on March 27, 2025. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Hunters, anglers, birders and more showed up at the Arizona Capitol on Thursday afternoon to rally in support of public lands in the face of a push by President Donald Trump and Arizona GOP lawmakers to fundamentally change how public lands are managed and used. 'We are all on the same footing. There is nothing more democratic than our public lands,' the appropriately named Land Tawney, who co-chairs the Montana-based conservation group American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, said to the gathered crowd. Tawney, a veteran conservation advocate, joined with local organizations to rally support for the use of public lands as the federal agencies that oversee them have been the target of drastic cuts under Trump and Elon Musk. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In February, at least 1,000 park service employees were laid off as the Department of Government Efficiency — the name of Musk's effort to slash federal agencies, though it's not an official government department — ordered the layoffs of tens of thousands of federal workers. The result was Arizona visitor centers having reduced hours, tours of attractions being cancelled, habitat restoration being ceased and much more. 'These places mean something to people because this is where they find their solace,' Tawney said, sharing his experience fishing in the Salt River. Arizona gets a considerable amount of tourism money from its public lands. A 2022 report found that more than 10 million people visited the state's national parks and spent over $1 billion, helping support over 16,000 jobs. Under the administration of President Joe Biden, land near the Grand Canyon was designated as the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The area, which is sacred to multiple Native American tribes, has also been the subject of intense debate as groups have sought to use it for uranium mining and other uses. A federal judge recently dismissed a lawsuit brought by Arizona GOP lawmakers aiming to remove the designation, though those lawmakers are now betting on Trump to reverse Biden's designation. 'We still try to live the ancient life I was taught when I was young,' Carletta Tilousi, a Havasupai tribal leader who has worked and lived in the Havasupai village at the bottom of the Grand Canyon her whole life, told the crowd. 'The threat of water contamination seems inevitable.' Tilousi, like many of the other speakers at the rally Thursday, brought up the late Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who had introduced legislation multiple times to try to protect areas like the Supai Village and Oak Flats. 'We are in a time where our public lands are going to be attacked,' Tilousi said. 'It is a very scary time right now, but I have faith.' Speakers also stressed that public lands are non-partisan, bringing up the history of Arizona politicians on both sides of the aisle that have supported conservation efforts. Jason Costello, the CEO and founder of Canyon Coolers, said he has been labeled both a 'Trumper' and a 'libtard,' but has been a registered independent and doesn't see the outdoor spaces as a left or right issue. 'Some of the greatest champions of public lands come from across the political spectrum,' Costello said, mentioning Arizona politicians like Barry Goldwater, John McCain and Mo Udall as examples. 'These leaders understood that public lands are not a Republican or Democrat issue, they are an American issue,' he said. Costello also brought up local legislation by Sen. Mark Finchem, R-Prescott, that would make any private sale of land to the federal government require the consent of legislature and governor beforehand, remarking that private land owners can sell their property to oil, gas and anyone else at their leisure. That legislation appears to have stalled in committee and has not moved to the full Senate for consideration. Tawney ended the rally with a call to those in attendance to spend time in their public lands and to get in touch with their elected officials to urge them to protect them. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
