Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen stated that President Joe Biden’s confiscation of nearly a million acres of land within Coconino and Mohave Counties for federal use disregards other possible uses of the land. On February 12, in a press release from the Arizona Senate Republicans, Petersen expressed concern with President Biden's use of executive power.
"Instead, it aims to halt all mining, ranching, and other local uses of federal lands that are critical to our energy independence from adversary foreign nations, our food supply and the strength of our economy," said Petersen, Arizona State Senator from 14th District (R).
According to a statement from the Arizona State Republican Caucus, Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma plan to challenge President Biden’s creation of a national monument last summer within Coconino and Mohave Counties by filing a lawsuit. They argue that Biden’s use of the 1906 Antiquities Act oversteps his legal authority. The statement indicated that this act is opposed by Republican lawmakers as it exceeds the guardrails Congress established to create a check on presidential power.
The White House stated that the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni was designated as a national monument to both give back to "Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples and advance President Biden’s historic climate and conservation agenda." They noted that this monument is one of five national monuments established by President Biden, aiming to conserve around 1 million acres of public lands surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her support for the Grand Canyon national monument designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni in a press release. She stated, "This designation will safeguard one of our most important water supplies, continue to support strong economic activity in communities across our state, and preserve a cultural and natural treasure for future generations." Hobbs also emphasized that the monument has been a sacred cultural site for Native Americans in the region, and its preservation will prevent future exploitation of the landscape.
In a press release, the National Park Service (NPS) explained that the 1906 Federal Antiquities Act allows the U.S. President to create national monuments from federal lands with the purpose of protecting natural, cultural, or scientific features. The statement highlighted that this act was signed into law on June 8, 1906, and was the first U.S. law providing legal protection to "cultural or natural resources of historic or scientific interest on federal lands." The NPS mentioned that the Grand Canyon is one of many early national monuments assigned this title.
Warren Petersen's biography indicates he is the President of the Arizona Senate, representing District 14. He was initially elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves as chairman of the Judiciary Committee while also being part of the Government, Ethics, and Finance Committee. He previously worked in real estate for over 20 years and holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University (ASU) as well as a J.D. from ASU Law School.
