Editorial: National monument designation is right

Friday, Jan. 14, 2000 | 9:27 a.m.

President Clinton this week designated two large tracts of federally owned land in Arizona as national monuments. The declarations will restrict commercial and recreational development, protecting the natural beauty of about 1,500 square miles around the Grand Canyon and preserving ancient Indian artifacts on land covering 71,000 acres north of Phoenix. The proclamation responsibly does ensure, though, that those who have existing grazing rights and mining claims won't be prevented from continuing to earn their livelihoods.

An Arizona Republic newspaper poll showed that almost 80 percent of the state's residents supported Clinton's decision, but Arizona's elected officials weren't happy about the president's unilateral move. The preferred course is to set aside lands with the consent of Congress, but the president does have the power under law to make such designations, and Clinton's decisions in Arizona are justified.

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