Sec. 3. Establishment of Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument, Arizona
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/bill/114/hr/3882/ih/section-3A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds the following: The Greater Grand Canyon ecosystem and watershed contains various tribal sacred sites and resources, including religious places and burial sites, with significant ancestral and contemporary values to the Grand Canyon-associated tribes. The Grand Canyon-associated tribes have a longstanding historical, cultural and religious connection the Greater Grand Canyon ecosystem and watershed and should play an integral role, through collaboration and consultation, in the planning and ongoing management of the monument.
The Grand Canyon-associated tribes have historically been stewards of the region, with obligations to care for the land that has provided for them since time immemorial, including natural and cultural resources such as ancestral sites, sacred places, plants, wildlife, water sources, and minerals, resulting in an accumulated body of traditional ecological knowledge that holds great potential for contributing to the sustainable and holistic management of the unique and fragile landscape.
The surface tributaries and interconnected ground water of the Greater Grand Canyon ecosystem and watershed are the source for Native American sacred springs and falls, such as Havasupai Falls. The Greater Grand Canyon ecosystem and watershed in northern Arizona contains nationally significant biological, cultural, recreational, geological, educational, and scientific values. The Greater Grand Canyon ecosystem and watershed is integral to Grand Canyon National Park. The surface tributaries and groundwater sources within the watershed are interconnected and contribute significantly to the flow of the Colorado River, and provide a source of drinking water for millions of American citizens.
The Greater Grand Canyon ecosystem and watershed contains a diverse array of canyons, cliffs, grasslands, springs, and escarpments that create a landscape unlike any other within America. Wildlife corridors within the Greater Grand Canyon ecosystem and watershed facilitate the migration and survival of many native game species while the rivers, forests, and grasslands provide habitat for many rare, threatened, and endangered species. The Greater Grand Canyon ecosystem and watershed provides a wild and rugged landscape enjoyed by hunters, campers, hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and other recreationists.
Recreational activity within the watershed is the primary driver of sustainable economic development in local communities. Subject to valid existing rights, there is hereby established the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument in the State of Arizona, which consists of Federal land and interests in Federal land in Arizona, as generally depicted on the map entitled Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument and dated September 11, 2015. The purposes of the national monument are— to preserve and, if necessary, restore the native, cultural, sacred lands, and key tribal resources, nationally significant biological, ecological, including wildlife connectivity, cultural, historical, recreational, geological, hydrological, education, scenic and scientific values found in the Greater Grand Canyon ecosystem and watershed, including above-ground tributaries, springs and interconnected groundwater that contribute significantly to the Colorado River; and to secure now and for future generations the opportunity to experience and enjoy the diverse tribal resources, landscape, wildlife, water flows, and recreational use of the lands included in the national monument.
As soon as practical after the date of the enactment of this Act, but not later than 2 years after such date, the Secretaries shall prepare final maps and legal descriptions of the national monument, which shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretaries may correct clerical and typographical errors in the maps and legal descriptions. As soon as practicable after the preparation of the maps and legal descriptions under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall submit the maps and legal descriptions to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
In the case of a conflict between the maps and the legal descriptions, the maps shall control. The maps and legal descriptions prepared pursuant to paragraph
(1)shall be available for public inspection at appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service.