Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani has re-introduced legislation to designate Chiricahua National Monument as a national park.
During a House Natural Resources Committee hearing he said for a century, visitors from around the world have been drawn to the Wonderland of Rocks.
“Chiricahua National Monument is a vital economic driver for Wilcox, Arizona. As you all know, supporting economic development in rural communities is essential and it is our responsibility to enact policies and designations that benefit the people who call these areas home,” he said.
If passed, this designation would establish Arizona’s fourth national park joining the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and Saguaro.
“The Chiricahuas are [unquestionably] worth of national park status,” Ciscomani said. “This redesignation is a simple, common sense way to give the landmark the recognition it deserves at no cost to the taxpayers and and without expanding federal jurisdiction over the land.”
He emphasized that because the monument is over a century old, it is important to advance legislation that promotes conservation as well as boosting tourism in Southern Arizona.
Ciscomani co-sponsored the Chiricahua National Park Act in 2023, alongside Arizona Congressmen Paul Gosar and New Mexico Congressman Gabe Vasquez, seeking the monument’s re-designation.
Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema co-sponsored the Senate version.
Neither the House nor the Senate version of the bill completed the full legislative process in the 118th Congress.
President Calvin Coolidge established Chiricahua National Monument in 1924 by proclamation.
