Establishment of the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument

President Biden established the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni—Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, protecting approximately 917,618 acres of federal lands surrounding Grand Canyon National Park. The proclamation withdraws these lands from mining, mineral leasing, and most forms of disposition under public land laws, mandates co-stewardship with Tribal Nations, and directs the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to develop a joint management plan through BLM and Forest Service.

Federal Register Open PDF 88 FR 55331

Impact dates

Date TBD
Advisory committee establishment
Date TBD
Management plan development initiation
Date TBD
Transportation plan preparation

Key directives

Reserve approximately 917,618 acres as national monument
Withdraw lands from entry, location, selection, sale under public land laws
Withdraw lands from mining laws and mineral/geothermal leasing
Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to manage through BLM and Forest Service
Jointly prepare management plan
Establish advisory committee under FACA
Establish Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Commission with Tribal representatives
Explore co-stewardship and cooperative agreements with Tribal Nations
Prepare transportation plan for motorized/non-motorized vehicle use
Protect sacred sites and provide access for traditional cultural and spiritual uses
Consider temporary closures for Tribal cultural/religious/gathering activities

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

National monument designation takes effect
Federal lands withdrawn from mining laws and mineral leasing
Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Commission established
Advisory committee to be established

Near term (90d)

Management plan development to begin
Consultation with Tribal Nations on co-stewardship agreements
Advisory committee formation and initial meetings

Long term

Joint management plan completion and implementation
Transportation plan for roads and trails
Potential cooperative agreements with Tribal Nations under ISDEAA
Ongoing co-stewardship arrangements

Risks & tensions

Mining and extraction industry opposition to 917,618-acre withdrawal
Potential legal challenges to 'smallest area compatible' finding under Antiquities Act
Tension between conservation goals and existing grazing, recreation, and utility access
Unclear timeline for management plan creates implementation uncertainty
Co-stewardship with Tribal Nations may face bureaucratic coordination challenges
Motorized access restrictions may generate local opposition