After Court Setback, Arizona GOP Eyes Grand Canyon Monument with Trump’s Support

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen is urging the Biden administration to overturn a national monument designation that restricts uranium mining around the Grand Canyon, seeking to bolster local economic development and energy independence.

In a letter dated February 7, Petersen requested a meeting with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to address what he calls “government overreach” regarding the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, established by President Biden in 2023.

Petersen, alongside former Speaker of the state House of Representatives Ben Toma, previously filed a lawsuit challenging Biden’s authority to create the monument, which encompasses over 917,000 acres of federally managed land. They argue the designation impairs the state’s revenue prospects and local land development due to the mining restrictions it imposes.

On January 27, U.S. District Judge Stephen McNamee dismissed the case on grounds that Petersen and the other plaintiffs lacked standing to sue, leaving them with limited recourse. The monument is significant not just for its land but also for the multiple tribal nations that consider the Grand Canyon their ancestral homeland.

The region holds sacred value for Indigenous communities, providing vital resources and cultural heritage. The monument preserves many historical and scientific sites, and its name reflects Indigenous history; “Baaj Nwaavjo” signifies “where Indigenous peoples roam” in the Havasupai language, while “I’tah Kukveni” translates to “our ancestral footprints” in Hopi.

Petersen has called the monument’s designation a “land grab” that could lead to higher energy costs and increased reliance on foreign minerals. He emphasized potential mineral resources in the area, asserting that over 300 million pounds of uranium may lie beneath the Grand Canyon.

“The energy that could be produced from this mineral is astronomical,” Petersen stated, expressing hope for a productive dialogue with Secretary Burgum on the issue, which he believes bears national significance. As the U.S. navigates energy independence in a complex global landscape, Petersen’s appeal highlights a contentious debate between environmental protection and resource extraction.