Gallego, Kelly Celebrate Chiricahua Officially Becoming Arizona’s Fourth National Park

Bipartisan legislation to make this happen passed the Senate this week, now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law WASHINGTON — This week, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) celebrated the final passage of the Chiricahua National Park Act , bipartisan legislation to designate Chiricahua National Monument in Cochise County as Chiricahua National Park. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) introduced the legislation in the House, which passed in March. The designation will make Chiricahua Arizona’s fourth national park, alongside Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro National Parks. It will protect Chiricahua’s unique landscape while bringing more visitors and economic opportunities to rural southeastern Arizona. “The unique landscape of Chiricahua National Park will unite people from around the world while opening economic and tourism opportunities for Arizona. The passage of this bill is a win for huge win for Arizona and honors the culture and preservation of the land,” said Senator Gallego. “Thank you to the Senate and the House for passing this bill, and I look forward to the president signing this into law.” “Chiricahua is one of Arizona’s most extraordinary places. Designating it as our state’s fourth national park will protect this remarkable landscape for generations and bring new visitors and economic opportunities to southeastern Arizona,” said Senator Kelly. “I’m grateful to everyone involved for working together to get this across the finish line.” “It’s been a long hike, but we’re at the summit. After years of work and persistence, Arizona is one signature away from having its fourth national park,” said Representative Ciscomani. “Chiricahua has long deserved this designation. As the second bill I ever introduced and in my first 100 days in Congress, I am proud to have worked across the aisle and across both chambers to deliver this victory for our district. This is an Arizona priority and a true team effort. I’m grateful to our local partners, including the City of Willcox, public lands advocates, and everyone who has worked alongside us to make this happen. I’m incredibly proud that we are now one signature away from making Chiricahua Arizona Sixth Congressional District’s second national park during our nation’s 250th birthday.” “Today’s Senate passage is a huge step forward for the Chiricahua National Monument, bringing it one big step closer to becoming Arizona’s fourth national park,” said Representative Stanton. “This designation will preserve one of Arizona’s greatest natural treasures and draw visitors from around the world to bolster new economic opportunities across Southern Arizona. I was proud to help advance it through the House, and I’m glad to see it moving closer to the finish line.” “The balancing rocks at Chiricahua National Monument make it one of the most unique and beautiful spots on Earth, which is exactly why its designation as a National Park makes perfect sense,” said Arizona House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos. “Making it Arizona’s fourth National Park ensures the protection and preservation of its natural beauty, while boosting tourism from around the world and growing our economy.” “Chiricahua is a hidden treasure. It’s a place more families deserve to experience. Protecting this landscape ensures future generations can encounter the same awe, memories, and connection to this land that my family has cherished. I am thrilled to see this long-awaited designation become a reality and proud that America’s newest national park will be here in Arizona,” said Orlando Cazarez, Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council member. “For Willcox, this designation represents an incredible opportunity. Chiricahua is a breathtaking and truly special place, and national park status will help more people across the country discover it. More visitors can mean more customers for our hotels, restaurants, and small businesses and more economic growth for our community,” said Greg Hancock, Mayor of Willcox, Arizona. “It is an important moment to designate Chiricahua as a National Park. This action will celebrate our spectacular public lands and tell future generations that we value access to the outdoors, protection of our cultural history, wildlife, plants, water, quiet, dark skies, and inspiring natural vistas,” said Emily Burns, Program Director for the Northern Sky Islands, Sky Island Alliance. “The Chiricahuas are a remarkable example of the public lands that make Arizona so special. We commend Representative Ciscomani and Senators Kelly and Gallego for being champions of our public lands and for working across party lines to protect this incredible landscape for generations to come,” said Michael Cravens, Advocacy and Conservation Director of the Arizona Wildlife Federation. “Chiricahua is part of the story of Cochise County. Growing up in Douglas, it always felt like one of those treasured places right in our backyard. Our county has deep roots, and generations of families have built their lives here. When one of our communities and one of our treasured landscapes receives this kind of national recognition, it is something the entire county can take pride in. We want people to come experience Chiricahua, but we also want them to discover everything else that Cochise County has to offer. Our communities, our history, our small businesses and our landscapes are all part of what makes this county special. The next step is making sure we are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that increased visitation will bring,” said Kathleen Gomez, Cochise County Board of Supervisors District 2 Supervisor. “The National Audubon Society applauds the passage of the Chiricahua National Park Act . Known well by birders, the Chiricahua Mountains are ‘sky islands’ which are part of the connected habitat birds need across the hemisphere,” said Sara Brodnax, director of public and protected lands at the National Audubon Society. “Birders already travel to southeastern Arizona for a chance to see the Elegant Trogon and other birds you just don’t encounter often elsewhere in the US. Birding-related travel and recreation drive an annual $107 billion contribution to the US economy. This National Park recognition will further support the local economy and rural communities in Arizona. We thank U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6) for their work.” Established in 1924, Chiricahua National Monument spans more than 12,000 acres of towering rock formations, canyons, and diverse wildlife in Cochise County. The legislation also includes protections for cultural and religious sites and ensures continued access for Tribal members for traditional cultural and customary uses. The Chiricahua National Park Act is supported by the City of Willcox, the City of Sierra Vista, the City of Benson, the City of Bisbee, Huachuca City, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors, the National Parks Conservation Association, HECHO, the Sky Island Regional Partnership, and the Arizona Trail Association.