Keep Sedona Beautiful

Posts Tagged ‘National Scenic Area’

Learn more about the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area
Free to the public, with live music, light snacks and a cash bar
Wednesday, Feb. 17th, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
at The Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa,  Village of Oak Creek

Master of Ceremonies, Former Senator Tom O’Halleran and other invited guests will speak on how preserving the West’s special places for economic as well as environmental reasons is essential. As we all know, tourism is the economic driver in the Greater Sedona/Verde Valley area, and our product is our remarkable and accessible environment.  Our jobs and businesses depend on it…and we purchased homes here for these reasons. We ALL have a stake in maintaining our red rock forests, clean air and quality of life.

In conjunction with the award winning Keep Sedona Beautiful Speakers Series, acclaimed TV journalist and western lands activist, Larry Warren, will be featured at a free special event supporting the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area (NSA). Co-sponsored by the Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa and the NSA Coalition, ALL are welcome to come, learn, be inspired and step up to do your part to save our red rock forest lands!

Article: Wandering the West, by Larry Warren

When: Wednesday, February 17th, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: The Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa, off SR 179 in the Village of Oak Creek
What: A terrific evening of inspiration, music, fun and energy, light snacks and a cash bar.

Special NSA event to feature acclaimed
TV journalist and western activist, Larry Warren

Download the event flyer

Larry Warren

A very special evening is planned for ALL current and future National Scenic Area (NSA) supporters from throughout the Greater Sedona area and the Verde Valley. Award-winning TV journalist, articulate reporter of the west, photographer, filmmaker, and author, Larry Warren, will speak at a Special NSA Event being held at the Sedona Hilton Resort & Spa on Wednesday, February 17th, 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Larry is a firm believer in preserving the west for economic as well as environmental reasons. He believes that it is both possible and essential, though often difficult, to preserve and protect our special places. In an article last fall (Wandering the West, Park City Record 10/09), he wrote about strong local opposition prior to the designation of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah, and how very different the opinions are today, 20 years later with solid economic benefits realized. If you watched the recent PBS series “National Parks” it pointed out the same initial local opposition to the special designations of the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, and Capitol Reef National Parks, and how that all changed with the development of the present vital economies that have grown up around those areas after their special designations.

Our primary business in the Greater Sedona area is tourism and our product is our environment. Residents in this area purchased homes here for these same reasons. Tourism and the economies of nearby communities also depend on us. We all have a stake in maintaining our beautiful wide-open spaces, clean air, and dark skies. There is NO political bias in the NSA effort – this is entirely a bipartisan effort among conservatives, liberals, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, and others.

Preservation of the 160,000 acres currently protected by USFS Amendment 12 which surround us is vital to the long range economic well-being of the entire area and is not limited to one city or area. The Amendment 12 protection is fine as far as it goes but that protection can be lost merely through amendment of the Coconino National Forest Plan. The only way to permanently prohibit land trades is the NSA designation. Land trades may benefit a few realtors and developers, but only in the short term…and once even a small piece of it goes, precedent is set. Thereafter, as experience will show in many other attractive areas of the west, the character will change forever while the economy languishes, as what is unique and special is but a memory.

Larry Warren’s visit is being sponsored by the National Scenic Area (NSA) Coalition consisting of many community grass-roots organizations including Keep Sedona Beautiful, DORR (Democrats of the Red Rocks), Sierra Club (local and state), Big Park Regional Coordinating Council, Arizona Wilderness Coalition, Red Rock Rural Community Association and the Verde Valley Land Preservation Institute.

The NSA Coalition is united in believing that a NationalScenic Area designation for the National Forests surrounding us is the only way to protect these Red Rock lands permanently.

Our Congressional Representative, Ann Kirkpatrick, has publicly committed to preparing and introducing legislation for creation of the NSA, though opposition forces are at work to derail it.

Ann Kirkpatrick must have no doubt that support for the scenic designation is overwhelming!

Come, hear Larry Warren speak about why preservation is essential and how it is possible in the western landscape…and invite other organizations, friends and neighbors from the Greater Sedona and the Verde Valley too. This is an opportunity to learn, be inspired and join together to make a difference.

Let’s have a great turn-out for a great evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2010. All are invited, admission is free, soft drinks and light snacks will be served, a cash bar is available and surprise musical entertainment will set the tone. An RSVP is appreciated but not required to Jan or Wendy at 282.4938.

Many thanks to the Sedona Hilton Resort & Spa for co-sponsoring this important event. The Hilton is located at 90 Ridge Trail Drive, just off SR 179 in the Village of Oak Creek.

Together, we can be heard in Washington…that the NSA is the only way to insure that this land, unique in all of America, will be our legacy to future generations.

Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Arizona) announced she will move forward on the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area designation at the 3rd annual Sedona Community Fair on September 19, 2009.

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Arizona) has just confirmed that she will be in Sedona on Saturday, September 19th and be speaking at the Sedona Community Fair, between 9:30 – 10 am, and making a statement regarding the Sedona-Red Rock NSA Designation. We’re told she will be informing the people of Sedona that she is going ahead with drafting the Bill to present to Congress. She also has stated that she intends to obtain (more) local input on the draft before she introduces the Bill which will be “sometime in the near future.”

Please join us by 9:30 am at our KSB Booth table and take part in the celebration – one more important step in our efforts to protect the integrity and beauty of Red Rock Country.

On August 15, the Arizona State Democratic Party unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Designation.  The resolution encourages our Congressional representatives to introduce and support the bill.

The National Scenic Area designation for the Sedona-Red Rock Country would prohibit land trades by the Forest Service within the 160,000 acres of the most spectacular Red Rock land within the Sedona area and would not affect private, State or municipal lands or require any funding whatsoever.

You can learn more about the Sedona-Red Rock NSA on Keep Sedona Beautiful’s web site.

KSB Members Overwhelmingly Support Sedona National Scenic Area (NSA) Designation

Photo by Stephen DeVol

Nearly 100 percent of Keep Sedona Beautiful (KSB) members support a Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area (NSA) designation, according to a recent survey conducted by the 600-member organization.

A federal designation is under consideration for the 160,000 acres of forest lands in and surrounding Sedona. U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who is the only U.S. Congressional representative who may introduce such legislation, has asked constituents for further data as she considers introducing legislation. In response, KSB conducted an online survey of its members.

In the survey, conducted July 17-27, 98.9 percent of respondents said they support an NSA designation. They rated its positive economic impact 6.7 on a 7.0 (highest) scale. Respondents rated the importance of the following aspects of an NSA:

• Scenic/Community Harmony: Preserves scenic beauty, small town character and property values, but allows crucial public infrastructure and land use [schools, roads, fire stations and cell phone towers] (96.9%)
• Forest Management: Allows continued U.S. Forest Service management; no new administrative authority required. (92.8%)
• Local Control: Does not affect “local control.” (92.8%)
• Business Impact: Is good for business and tourism. (91.8%)
• Government Authority: Creates no new layers of government. (86.7%)
• Land Use: Does not affect any private, state or municipal lands. (75.5%)
• Area Affected: Applies only to Coconino National Forest lands in the area. (75.5%)

Comments provided by KSB members to share with Kirkpatrick included:

• “This one act will forever be Congresswoman Kirkpatrick’s signature legislation.”
• “Having a(n) NSA designation would strengthen the Sedona brand and help our tourism business.”
• “The Sedona economy and lifestyle are dependent upon protection of the scenic beauty. We must be stewards of this treasure.”
• “It will help to bolster the region’s economic base as a tourist destination where residents, organizations, and government agencies work as stewards to assure a balance between the human footprint and the fragile grandeur of nature.”

Full results of the KSB survey may be viewed on the Keep Sedona Beautiful website.

Keep Sedona Beautiful Urges Caution, Thoughtful Deliberation
Regarding Cottonwood’s Proposed Annexation of State Trust Land

The KSB Board of Trustees recently approved the following statement:

Keep Sedona Beautiful (KSB) urges the City of Cottonwood to take whatever time is necessary for full public consideration of its proposal to annex 10 square miles of state trust land northeast of the city. Among critical issues that must be addressed by Cottonwood, along with its Verde Valley and Prescott Valley neighbors are:

• Water sources, especially the impact on groundwater supplies and the Verde River
• Environmental impact, including potential pollution and congestion
• Effects on open spaces and the surrounding natural scenic area
• Sustainability issues associated with the possible addition of about 50,000 residents to the area

KSB encourages Cottonwood to embrace its standing as a good neighbor in the Verde Valley by collaborating with all stakeholders, including those outside of the city who may be affected by this transaction. Cottonwood’s hasty advancement of this proposal highlights the potential perils of state land trust annexations, as well as the need to protect and preserve natural scenic areas in Red Rock Country.

Keep Sedona Beautiful was featured on AM Arizona with Tonya Mock and Lew Rees on Channel 7 TV Tuesday, July 14.  This program reached a market of 1 million people so it was excellent exposure. The main topic was the National Scenic Area designation, and KSB President Stephen DeVol showed some of our popular ‘Scenic Sedona’ video.  All in all, was great opportunity to talk about KSB and “Preserving the Wonder” of Sedona.

Keep Sedona Beautiful has it’s own YouTube Channel where you can see this video and many more.

More than 300 people turned out at the Sedona Elks Lodge last night (July 22) to show their support for the National Scenic Area designation. Sponsored by Sedona Red Rock National Scenic Area Designation Coalition, the event showcased informational presentations and video productions supporting the NSA designation and concluded with a Q&A session.

Music was provided by Meadowlark, a duo playing flute and guitar, and was MCed by Shondra Jepperson.  Free wine and hors  d’oeuvres were provided by Weber’s IGA and Safeway.  Door prizes were provided by Harkins Theatres, Page Springs Winery, Flagstaff Symphony, Democrats of the Red Rocks, and more.

Read the related article on Sedona.biz

For more information:

Democrats of the Red Rocks
P. O. Box 1165, Sedona AZ 86339-1165
928.203.5858

Sedona Verde Valley Chapter, Sierra Club
70 White Tail Lane, Sedona AZ 86336
928.203.0340

Keep Sedona Beautiful
360 Brewer Road, Sedona AZ 86336
928.282.4938