HECHO Urges Congress to Protect and Uphold the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument Designation

HECHO strongly opposes the recently introduced bill (H.R. 5392) by Representative Paul Gosar, which seeks to revoke the designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. This region is one of the most culturally, ecologically, and economically significant landscapes in the country. Its permanent protection has strong bipartisan support among the people of Arizona. 

“The designation of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni reflects years of collaboration and advocacy by Tribal Nations, local communities, and outdoor enthusiasts who recognize the unique value of this landscape,” said Camilla Simon, Executive Director of HECHO. “This monument is not just about protecting cultural resources and land parcels with exceptional scientific and ecological value; it’s also about safeguarding the local tourism economy in northern Arizona and maintaining the water quality of the Colorado River.” 

HECHO urges Representative Gosar and Congress to protect and uphold the designation of this national monument.  

Recent polling underscores this broad support: A Grand Canyon Trust poll indicates that 80% of Arizonan voters regardless of their political views approve of the monument and thousands signed the petition for its creation.  The 2025 Conservation in the West poll also shows that 88% of Arizonans believe the national monument designations made in the last decade should remain in place.