After Legal Setback, GOP Sets Sights on Grand Canyon Monument with Trump at the Helm

A prominent Arizona Republican is pressing the Trump administration to overturn a federal ruling that upheld the designation of a national monument surrounding the Grand Canyon. This move, if successful, could pave the way for mining companies to extract uranium and other minerals from the area.

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen recently reached out to the U.S. Department of the Interior, requesting a meeting with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. The discussion aims to address what Petersen describes as “government overreach” regarding the national monument and the prohibition on uranium mining.

The controversy centers on the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, established by President Joe Biden in 2023. Petersen and former state House Speaker Ben Toma initiated a lawsuit challenging the monument’s creation, asserting that it infringes on both state interests and local communities by hindering potential uranium mining revenue and complicating land development efforts.

On January 27, Judge Stephen McNamee dismissed their case, ruling that Petersen and the other plaintiffs lacked standing to sue. The judge’s decision upheld the national monument, which spans over 917,000 acres and protects numerous historical, cultural, and ecological resources.

The Grand Canyon is culturally significant to several Indigenous tribes in the Southwest. The monument preserves sacred sites and vital water sources essential to these communities. Its name reflects Indigenous heritage, with the Havasupai and Hopi languages giving meaning to Baaj Nwaavjo as “where Indigenous peoples roam” and I’tah Kukveni as “our ancestral footprints.”

While the monument restricts new mining, existing mining rights remain unaffected. Petersen criticized the Biden administration’s actions, labeling the designation a “land grab” that he believes exacerbates energy costs and fosters reliance on foreign energy sources.

“Ending the federal government’s hold on this land aligns with the Trump Administration’s objectives of energy independence and job creation,” Petersen stated. He also mentioned that estimates suggest over 300 million pounds of uranium lie beneath the Grand Canyon, emphasizing the significant energy potential of these resources.

“I look forward to collaborating with Secretary Burgum on this crucial issue for Arizona and the nation,” he concluded.