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Bill Introduced to Designate Arizona’s Fourth National Park – Chiricahua
Arizona may potentially be getting a fourth national park in the near future. Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly have introduced the Chiricahua National Park Act to designate the Chiricahua National Monument in Cochise County as Chiricahua National Park. The bill would permanently protect the unique landscape and wildlife of Chiricahua, while bringing more tourism and job opportunities to the area. Additionally, this new bill would also offer protections for traditional cultural and religious sites inside the park, requiring consultation with Tribes and ensuring continued access for traditional cultural and customary uses.
“Chiricahua’s unique landscape brings in visitors from around the world. I’m proud to introduce this bill to designate Chiricahua as a national park in order to bring even more tourism to the area and create new economic opportunity in Cochise County,” – Senator Gallego
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“Protecting Chiricahua means preserving a one-of-a-kind landscape while delivering an important win for southeastern Arizona’s recreation economy,” – Senator Kelly – “This is about keeping this place special and making sure nearby communities and small businesses benefit even more from it.”
The Chiricahua National Monument is located about 120 miles east of Tucson and was created in 1924. A mountainous 12,000-acre area with unique hoodoos, balancing rocks, canyons, and towering rock formations. which are leftovers from a volcanic eruption from about 27 million years ago. The national monument has 17 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding opportunities, and a scenic 8-mile-long drive that offers sweeping views of Bonita Canyon. The monument is home to 71 species of mammals, including the endemic Chiricahua Fox Squirrel, 46 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, and 171 species of birds.
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