President Biden is set to issue a presidential proclamation on Tuesday, establishing a new national monument around the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona. The monument, known as Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, will cover nearly 1 million acres of land and is intended to preserve the ancestral land that is sacred to several Native American tribes in the area.

The designation of the national monument will effectively ban any new uranium and other hard-rock mining leases in the area. However, more than 3,000 mining leases that existed before 2012 will be allowed to continue. The Obama administration had implemented a 20-year pause on new leases in 2012, but this proclamation will make the ban permanent.

The decision to protect the land from uranium mining has drawn criticism from the mining industry, as well as cattle ranchers who graze their stock on the public lands in the area. They argue that the ban will have negative economic impacts and limit job opportunities. However, a June survey showed that three-fourths of Arizona voters supported designating the public lands surrounding the Grand Canyon as a national monument, including a majority of Democrats, independents, and Republicans.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet secretary, welcomed the announcement, stating that it reiterates the importance of Native American history in America. Haaland, who is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, also highlighted the significance of the new monument in addressing past injustices and creating a partnership between the United States and the region's tribal nations in caring for the lands.

The presidential proclamation outlines a “co-stewardship” model of management for the land, involving the federal government, tribal leaders, and a commission of local and state leaders. This collaborative approach aims to ensure the preservation and proper management of the sacred site.

This marks the fifth national monument established by President Biden, with others located in Illinois and Mississippi, Texas, Nevada, and Colorado. The creation of these monuments showcases the administration's commitment to protecting natural and cultural heritage across the country.

President Biden's visit to Arizona to announce the new national monument is part of a larger effort by the White House to promote key policy victories and engage with crucial constituency groups. The designation of the monument is seen as a strategic decision to energize Native American voters, who played a significant role in Arizona's support for Biden in the 2020 election.

The National Mining Association criticized the monument designation, calling it “unwarranted” and expressing concerns about the reliance on imported uranium. However, administration officials have emphasized that the designated area represents only a small percentage of the nation's known uranium reserves.

Overall, the establishment of the Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument reflects the Biden administration's commitment to protecting sacred lands and addressing historical injustices, while also balancing the concerns of various stakeholders involved. The monument will serve as a symbol of collaboration and respect for Native American tribes and their ancestral connections to the land, while also preserving the natural beauty and ecological importance of the Grand Canyon region.