Sedona citizens rally for a National Scenic Area designation

By Tommy Acosta

SEDONA, AZ - (February 19, 2010) - Sedona citizens turned out in force Feb. 17 in support of a National Scenic Area designation for the Greater Sedona area.

Known internationally as one of the most beautiful places in the world because of its majestic red rock mountains, stunning flora and bountiful fauna, Sedona has become a hot-bed of contention between those who want an NSA designation and those who don’t.

In order to permanently prevent forest service land trades of forest land in the red rock country in exchange for land outside of Sedona, some feel an NSA designation is needed and can only be passed by an act of Congress.

Presently, the land is protected against such trades by the U.S. Forest Service Management Plan (Amendment 12). However, the plan can be circumvented or changed without congressional approval. 

Those opposed to a congressional designation say Amendment 12 has served the citizens of Sedona well for years, and they are concerned about giving up local control to the federal government.  Those in support of the NSA designation say that the U.S. Forest Service is arm of the federal government and, therefore, their decisions are not independent of federal politics.

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, (D) District 1, is allegedly preparing to introduce legislation for the creation of the NSA that would protect approximately 160,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in and around Sedona.

More than 250 individuals showed up at the special meeting held at the Hilton Resort in Greater Sedona to hear nationally acclaimed and Emmy award-winning TV journalist Larry Warren and former Arizona State Senator Tom O’Halleran, (R) District 1, speak on the need for such legislation.

Proponents for the NSA designation believe such legislation will protect their forests from future development indefinitely.

They believe the legislation is vital to the economic well-being of the entire area and will bring more tourists and visitors to the community thereby increasing tax revenue for the city.

“Tourism is the economic driver in the Greater Sedona/Verde Valley area and our product is our remarkable and accessible environment,” said Gail Simpson, organizer of the event. “Our jobs and businesses depend on it…and we purchased homes here for these reasons.”

Mr. Warren has written about strong-local opposition prior to the designation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah and how very different the opinions are today, 20 years later.

He said it was important for residents wanting the designation to organize, mobilize and get it out to the world how important the NSA designation is for the community.

“You need to regionalize and nationalize this issue,” he said. “Brainless development is not the way to go.”

He said negative opinions on the special designations for the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton and Capitol Reef National Park reversed with the resulting growth of robust economies in those areas.

Opponents of a National Scenic Area designation for the Greater Sedona area claim it would create a new level of government, could prevent new roads, have unintended consequences and could affect private land use.

Proponents disagree, arguing there will be no new layer of government, new roads may be built for infrastructure; the no-land-trade policy of Amendment 12 has been in place for 12 years with no-unintended consequences; and private, state or municipal lands are expressly exempt from restrictions.

Steve DeVol, president of Keep Sedona Beautiful, said Amendment 12 will not be affected in any way by an NSA designation.

“The Forest Service Management Plan has a policy of preventing outside land trades,” he said. “An NSA designation simply makes this policy law.”

Former AZ State Senator Tom O'halleran, Native American Vincent Randall and Sedona Myor Adams at a recent NSA Rally.

“This is a people’s effort,” he said. “We believe strongly in preserving the beauty of this area. No matter what party we belong to it is our responsibility to assume stewardship of our forest land and protect the treasure of this area for our children and our children’s children.”

Sedona author and journalist Jim Bishop said Arizona is under assault by developers, with rivers being “murdered” and desert floors being “scrubbed clean” by bulldozers.

He said the community has to protect itself and an NSA designation is its last chance. He said America “missed the boat” on championing solar power years ago when it was introduced to the world and Sedona cannot afford to miss having an NSA designation.

“This valley here should be a national monument,” he said. “An NSA designation is an insurance policy against Amendment 12 being tampered with. We cannot miss the boat this time. I made a promise to my six grandchildren we will not miss the boat again.”

Native American Vincent Randall summed up the sentiment and duty to the land all who live upon it have.

“We believe we are placed here to be good stewards of the land,” he said. “We believe everything has life: the mountains, the rivers. It is within the boundaries of this land that gives us life. If we are not good stewards of the land, we are spitting in the face of the creator.”

Music was provided by master-guitar builder Jim Eaton on a specially built instrument comprised of a large tree and wires.

In attendance were Sedona Mayor Rob Adams, who is running for a second term, and city council candidates Mike Ward, Barbara Litrell, Dan McIlroy and Dennis Rayner.  All of these candidates support a NSA designation for Sedona.

The present Sedona City Council has voted against supporting an NSA designation for Sedona, with the exception of Mayor Adams and Councilman Cliff Hamilton.