The United States just got a huge new national monument

The United States just got a new national monument and it encompasses an absolutely vast amount of land mass near the Grand Canyon. This is everything you need to know. 

President Joe Biden proclaimed the new national monument in Arizona on August 8th in a visit to the state that will see nearly one million acres of land protected going forward. 

Biden was joined by a small group of indigenous leaders as well as several lawmakers from the state who have been lobbying to protect the land according to The Guardian. 

“Native American history is American history, and that’s what today is about,” Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said to the crowd before Biden spoke, NBC News reported. 

The President used the Antiquities Act of 1906 to establish what is now called the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. 

The Antiquities Act was established to help protect and preserve significant historical or archeological sites on public lands in the U.S. according to the National Parks Service. 

The White House stated in a fact sheet released on the monument that the words “baaj nwaavjo” mean "where Indigenous people roam" in the language of the Havasupai.

Moreover, the words "i’tah kukveni" can be translated to mean "our ancestral footprints" in the Hopi language, something the White House noted was done on purpose. 

“The name reflects the significance of the Grand Canyon area, not just to one, but to many Tribal Nations,” the White House fact sheet noted. 

Biden explained to the crowd that it wasn’t “hyperbole” to say that there was no national treasure in the country grander than The Grand Canyon—calling it “God’s Cathedral.” 

"Preserving these lands is good not only for Arizona but for the planet," Biden said, also noting the monument would be good for Arizona’s economy and “the soul of the nation.” 

However, not everyone agreed the newly preserved lands will help the local economy since it will also limit the amount of mining allowed in the area according to NBC News. 

“This monument designation is frustrating news, especially for residents of Utah along the Arizona Strip,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox The Salt Lake Tribune reported. 

Governor Cox complained the money would increase visitations without providing law enforcement with additional resources and would restrict access to critical minerals.  

This new monument is the fifth created by Biden since being elected to the presidency and it was done as part of a $44 million investment into climate resilience across the nation's National Park system according to the White House. 

Biden noted in his speech announcing the new monument that it was an important step in achieving his commitment to conserving 30% of its landmass and waters by 2030. 

“I made a commitment that we will protect 30 percent of all our nation’s lands and waters … And we’re on our way. And we’re delivering.” Biden said.