Op-ed: Coconino Voices - Grand Canyon too precious to risk; Grand Canyon Protection Act would keep it safe

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Arizona Daily Sun on October 28, 2021. By Viviana Reyes 10/28/2021

I was born and raised in Arizona. I grew up in Phoenix, and like many Arizonans, my family visited the Grand Canyon time and time again. The first time I saw it, it took my breath away. The contrasting shades of vermillion and coral — I felt as if I was standing in a picture-perfect postcard. When I took my daughter for the first time, she became enamored with the starry night skies. The Grand Canyon is a magical place, but if not properly protected, it could be destroyed beyond repair.

Op-ed: Congress has opportunity to protect Grand Canyon region

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Arizona Capitol Times on March 12, 2021.

By Sandy Bahr, Director for the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter and Amber Wilson Reimondo, Energy Program Director at the Grand Canyon Trust | 03/12/2021 12:00 AM MST

The Grand Canyon Protection Act was recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Raύl Grijalva and passed in the House and has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. The bills will permanently protect about 1 million acres of public lands surrounding Grand Canyon from the harmful and lasting damage of new uranium mining.

Op-ed: Biden’s executive orders on climate change bring welcome optimism

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Arizona Mirror on February 12, 2021.

By Arizona Councilmember for District 5, David Luna | 02/12/2021 2:00 PM MST

Last month, President Joe Biden took bold action via executive order to fix our broken oil and gas leasing system, as well as to protect wildlife habitat, clean water, and conserve 30% of our land and waters by 2030. On behalf of a community that is impacted by oil and gas development, and that experiences health challenges as a result of climate change impacts, I support the measures the president took to pause oil and gas leasing on federal public lands, and protecting our lands and waters.

Blog: Uranium Mining Near the Grand Canyon Pollutes our Water and Impacts Nearby Communities

Like many Arizonans, I love to travel with my daughter to the Grand Canyon to take in its natural glory and reignite our connection to this special place. As a child, my family couldn’t afford to take expensive vacations, but visits to the Grand Canyon were accessible to us. Continuing this family tradition with my daughter, I experience great joy watching her eyes light up with the night sky full of bright stars. But as we adjust to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, I worry about public health. As a parent and community member, now more than ever there is a responsibility to engage in issues that threaten the health of future generations.

Op-ed: Feds need to act to protect Grand Canyon from mining

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Arizona Daily Sun on October 23, 2020.

By HECHO National Advisory Board Member, and Coconino County Treasurer, Elizabeth Archuleta — 10/23/2020 12:00 AM MDT

Arizona has been home to five generations of my family. I am the fourth generation and am proud of our long history of protecting public lands and natural treasures.

As a six term Coconino County Supervisor, I have worked to continue that tradition as an elected leader. I have consistently supported and fought for protection of Northern Arizona’s lands, so that future generations can enjoy and benefit from them as we have. When it comes to banning uranium mining at the Grand Canyon, we need our federally elected leaders in Washington D.C. to join hands to protect our state’s most iconic and cherished natural landmark. Protection of the Grand Canyon is not a partisan issue, it is a “bread and butter” issue.

Event Recap: Sharing Personal Connections Through Letters to the Editor

Community members across the nation joined HECHO on Wednesday to participate in the Advocacy Training Series to learn about Letters to the Editor (LTE), and why they are an essential advocacy tool in having our voices heard on issues from racial inequity to the protection of our public lands. Speakers included the HECHO team, Elvia Diaz, Editor of La Voz Arizona, and Frank Moraga, journalist, publisher, and editor of AmigosNAZ.

Event Recap: May 27, 2020 Digital Briefing and Advocacy Training to Protect the Grand Canyon

Advocates for the Grand Canyon came together on Wednesday for a digital briefing and advocacy training about the threat of uranium mining at the Grand Canyon. Community members joined the call from across the nation, sharing why protecting the national park is important to them.

HECHO presenters Camilla Simon and Elizabeth Archuleta discussed recent recommendations released by the Nuclear Fuels Working Group supporting opening up public lands near the Grand Canyon for uranium mining. They also informed advocates about a proposal to permanently protect the public lands around the Grand Canyon, introduced by Rep. Raul Grijalva and passed by the House in March 2020 called the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act.

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