New national monument a sore spot for some Arizonans

Monument designation bans mining, timber cutting and other large-scale development

January 11, 2000
Web posted at: 12:35 a.m. EST (0535 GMT)

By Correspondent Jim Hill

GRAND CANYON, Arizona (CNN) -- President Clinton is scheduled to visit one of the most revered natural wonders in the United States on Tuesday, the Grand Canyon. But some nearby residents say they are not happy about Clinton's visit and the reason for it.

The president is expected to expand the national monument status of the region to include about 1 million acres of land near the canyon.

Residents of Fredonia, Arizona, which is near the proposed Grand Canyon/Parashant National Monument, fear federal restrictions associated with national monument status will replace their quiet lifestyle with a hectic, tourist economy.

VIDEO CNN's Jim Hill looks at the controversy sparked by the proposed Grand Canyon/Parashant National Monument. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     MESSAGE BOARD Saving the environment

"I thought we were going to have some input," said Fredonia Mayor Joy Jordan. "But things have not worked out that way at all. So I feel very sad and very helpless."

Clinton is using the federal Antiquities Act of 1906 to establish new national monuments. The new designation would ban mining, timber cutting or other large-scale development, limiting the income of many area residents involved in those industries.

Observers say the situation represents a struggle between local governments -- which often serve residents by making use of natural resources -- and federal officials who want to serve all citizens by preserving those same resources.

"These two things are clashing as development is increasing," said Professor Sheldon Kamieniecki of the University of Southern California. "I think as we move into the century that question is going to be how do you balance the two?"