PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for the recruitment of 15 members to serve on the newly established Monument Advisory Committee for the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The committee will provide information and advice to the BLM and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service on the management of the Monument. The 45-day nomination period closes Oct. 4, 2024.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland recently signed the charter establishing the Monument Advisory Committee in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10606.
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s unprecedented commitment to protect America’s natural wonders for future generations, honor culturally significant areas, and tell a more complete story of our Nation, President Biden signed Presidential Proclamation 10606 on August 8, 2023. The President’s designation of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni—Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument provides permanent protection of sacred ancestral places and their historic and scientific significance, while conserving our public lands, protecting wildlife habitat and clean water, and supporting local economies.
“Partnering with the communities that rely on federally managed public lands is critical to properly stewarding these beautiful and sacred places now and into the future,” said Arizona Strip District Manager Wayne Monger, who serves as the Designated Federal Official for the committee. “We look forward to establishing the advisory committee for the new Monument, and working together as we begin the planning process for this special place.”
The committee will include balanced representation of interested stakeholders, including Tribal Nations; the Arizona Game and Fish Department; other State agencies and local governments; recreational users; conservation organizations; wildlife, hunting, and fishing organizations; the scientific community; the ranching community; business owners; and the general public in the region.
“Collaboration will continue to be the backbone of our success,” said Southwestern Regional Forester Michiko Martin of the USDA Forest Service. “To ensure we’re honoring the cultural, ecological, and economic significance of the area, we need everyone at the table. We look forward to closely working with the Monument Advisory Committee as well as the Tribal Commission established in the presidential proclamation.”
The Monument protects thousands of cultural and sacred sites that are precious to Tribal Nations in the Southwest—including the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, Moapa Band of Paiutes, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Pueblo of Zuni, Shivwits Band of Paiutes, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
For more information about serving on the committee, please contact Rachel Carnahan at rcarnahan@blm.gov.
