Rancher angered by Biden’s monument, fears harm to his ranch: ‘Forcing it upon us’
The Biden Administration’s Monument Designation Threatens Utah Rancher and the Environment
A Utah rancher is speaking out against the Biden administration’s recent designation of over a million acres of land near the Grand Canyon as a national monument. Chris Heaton, whose family has been running a ranch in the area since the 19th century, argues that the new Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni — Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument not only poses a threat to his family’s ranching operation, but also has potential negative impacts on the environment and energy sources.
Heaton’s concerns are shared by prominent Utah Republicans who believe that the environmental threat posed by the monument contradicts President Biden’s claims of fighting climate change. Governor Spencer Cox and both Utah senators, Mitt Romney and Mike Lee, have criticized the monument designation, highlighting the potential harm to nearby ranchers and the loss of valuable uranium mining opportunities.
Heaton explains that the monument’s impact on his ranch is significant. He leases over 40,000 acres of federal and state land, which will be affected by the designation. Additionally, the monument fails to address the potential effects on his private water rights, which are crucial for providing water to wildlife and livestock in the area.
Furthermore, Heaton raises concerns about the monument’s impact on uranium mining. While mining operations have been under a 10-year moratorium, the rancher argues that past mining activities have been beneficial to ranchers, providing additional support and resources.
The monument designation has not been approved by Congress, leading to criticism from Utah Republicans who believe that such large-scale monuments restrict access to critical minerals and fail to provide necessary resources for law enforcement and infrastructure.
Overall, the designation of the monument near the Grand Canyon raises concerns about the potential harm to ranchers, the environment, and the loss of valuable energy resources. Critics argue that this decision reflects a top-down management approach and may hinder the country’s energy efficiency and independence.
As the Biden administration continues to address energy issues, it is important to consider the potential consequences and ensure that decisions are made with careful consideration for all stakeholders involved.
Source: The Western Journal
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