Sedona, AZ - The Sierra Club's Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter and its nearly 13,000 members in Arizona and six Groups, including its Sedona-Verde Valley Group, joins Keep Sedona Beautiful, Big Park Council in the Village of Oak Creek, and several other Verde Valley organizations, as well as two previous Sedona City Councils, in recommending adoption of the National Scenic Area (NSA) designation for the National Forests in the Sedona area and urging Representative Ann Kirkpatrick to introduce a bill to do so.
The Sierra Club has long supported the NSA designation for these National Forest lands, but is now asking for quick action on this designation.
Such action will protect 166,000 acres within and surrounding Sedona. It offers the opportunity to provide a well-needed boost to tourism by allowing neighboring towns and cities to participate in cooperative tourist ventures that have special appeal to international visitors.
"We value this region as one of the most beautiful and scenic places in Arizona," said Marlene Rayner, chairperson for the local Sedona Verde Valley Sierra Club group. "Sierra Club members as well as other visitors from all over the country and the world come to enjoy many outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching."
The NSA designation prevents the National Forest lands from being exchanged to private interests for development or other activities that will destroy its scenic and natural character. This land currently has limited protection under Forest Service rules that are and have been in the past, more easily subject to change (e.g., Pine Valley subdivision in the Village of Oak Creek and Jacks Canyon Road development, which were facilitated by land exchanges).
The NSA designation helps to ensure that any actions are consistent with the designation. Sales of privately owned land within the designated area and local governmental infrastructure needs will not be affected by the NSA. No additional costs or environmental assessments are incurred. The Forest Service continues to manage the lands, but with the designation they have a stronger mandate for protecting them.
Representative Anne Kirkpatrick indicated that she would introduce the NSA bill into the House, during her campaign last year. Her office is presently conducting "research" on the adoption of the NSA and will be making a decision about its introduction by late this summer. Senators Kyl and McCain have indicated they are ready to join her.
The Sierra Club is urging its members, as well as residents of the Verde Valley region and beyond, to promptly communicate support for the NSA to Congresswoman Kirkpatrick.
Email: Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick at :
https://forms.house.gov/kirkpatrick/contact-form.shtml
Address: 1123 Longworth HOB,
Washington, DC 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-2315
