Two “dark money” groups called “Prosper Inc” and “Prosper Foundation Inc” have been raising funds that are being directed at an effort to overturn the Antiquities Act which was created by Theodore Roosevelt and utilized to protect the Grand Canyon area in 1908. Roosevelt, feeling that encroachment and development threatened the remaining wild spaces of America, created the law that would prevent such encroachment by limiting the distance from a named area that development could happen. While this is an obvious benefit to not only the people of America but worldwide as they are allowed to view unspoiled areas of beauty, industry has notoriously been against the idea of being limited from utilizing areas of the United States for private profit. The debate has raged for many years, but has never been closer to being turned in favor of development. The problem is that once an area is developed, it can never be restored.
Charles and David Koch have an interest in mining the area surrounding the Grand Canyon for uranium, and are utilizing the organizations to raise large sums of money for lobbying efforts to overturn the Antiquities Act. The push has resulted in several Arizona politicians being voted into positions of influence regarding the decision, calling protection of places like the Grand Canyon, Chaco Canyon, and Arches — “the worst kind of federal overreach.” There is a joint Prosper/Arizona Chamber of Commerce effort ongoing opposing the creation of the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument, which would permanently ban uranium mining in the area. Environmental groups, businesses and local tribes have united to call upon President Obama to use the Antiquities Act to protect the 1.7 million acre gateway to the Grand Canyon. This would permanently prohibit new uranium mines on the canyon’s rim.
The opposition to the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument is not reflective of the majority opinion of residents of Arizona, who overwhelmingly support it’s creation by an 80% margin, including the majority of Republicans. The opposition to the Monument confounds many, who vocally do not understand why some politicians would defy the will of the majority of their voters and people within their areas, many supporters hinting that those political figures opposing the creation of the protected area are being steered by money raised through the named organizations in favor of mining interests. These supporters reiterate the obvious, that “once the area is mined it can never be restored. The preservation of the area is crucial.”
Those attempting to block the Grand Canyon protection efforts cite that federal protection of lands actually hinders the ability of states to utilize their land for economic purposed that would benefit the state economy. By the federal government prohibiting the states from utilizing land contained within their boundaries, they severely hinder that state’s ability to finance its ongoing operations. At the current time, it appears that gridlock in the United States government will hinder efforts to enact the protection measures, however in February Obama did use the Antiquities Act to create 3 new areas in California. Those among us who view the protection of beautiful spaces over the profits of private industry certainly hope that the president takes measures to protect the Grand Canyon. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.