By Jordan Gerard | State Affairs
Tack another national park to your list because Arizona could get its fourth national park if legislation by Arizona’s U.S. senators passes into law.
Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego introduced an act to make the Chiricahua National Monument into a national park. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, Arizona’s Republican representative for District 6, introduced companion legislation in the House, too.
The monument spans over 12,000 acres and features rock formations, canyons and diverse wildlife in Cochise County. The bill would protect the landscape and support tourism and economic opportunities in rural southern Arizona, according to a news release.
If the bill passes, Chiricahua would join the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and Saguaro national parks. The park would also be over 100 years old, as it was established in 1924. The bill would also protect traditional cultural and religious sites and require consultation with tribes and ensure continued access for traditional cultural and customary uses.
The landscape’s beauty is sure to attract visitors and in turn, support tourism, the senators said in a news release.
“Chiricahua’s unique landscape brings in visitors from around the world. I’m proud to introduce this bill to designate Chiricahua as a national park in order to bring even more tourism to the area and create new economic opportunity in Cochise County,” Gallego said.
