Washington, D.C. — In response to Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Senator Mark Kelly’s introduction of the Grand Canyon Protection Act, which would permanently protect more than 1 million acres around Grand Canyon National Park from new mining claims, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa Arizona issued the following statements:

“Protecting the Grand Canyon would honor the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these sacred lands for generations, safeguard Arizonans’ drinking water, and boost the state’s outdoor recreation economy. Senators Sinema and Kelly are listening to local communities and working to protect this sacred and majestic landscape from the threat of further pollution at the hands of the mining industry,” said Alex Taurel, Conservation Program Director, LCV. “With the backing of Arizona’s senators, the momentum in the House behind Chairman Grijalva’s companion bill, and the Biden administration committed to protecting America’s public lands, this is the year to get permanent protections for the Grand Canyon over the finish line.”

“The Grand Canyon is one of Arizona’s greatest treasures,” said Laura Dent, Chispa Arizona Executive Director. “It is a sacred and beautiful place, and like much of Arizona is home to Indigenous communities that have been working to protect the region for generations. We thank Senator Sinema and Senator Kelly for introducing this bill, and working to see this natural and cultural icon protected. We look forward to seeing it move through Congress and get signed into law.”

# # #