Bell Rock, Sedona AZ

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick has announced that on June 10, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and National Lands will hold a hearing to discuss the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Act, along with other bills.  This is the first step in moving these bills forward.

Find more information on the Sedona-Red Rocks National Scenic Area Act on Keep Sedona Beautiful’s website.

Kirkpatrick introduced H.R. 4823, the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Act of 2010, last month.

“We are proud that Congresswoman Kirkpatrick is committed to preserving Sedona’s natural beauty,” said KSB president Steve DeVol. “A National Scenic Area Designation will protect our tourism-based economy, protect our land values and preserve Sedona’s beauty.”

SEDONA, AZ – After a careful review of responses and proposed revisions to draft language for a bill to designate the Red Rock lands around Sedona as a National Scenic Area, Representative Ann Kirkpatrick is taking the next step towards securing that designation. She today introduced the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Act of 2010.

Rep. Kirkpatrick has been discussing the best approach to this issue since before her election, and has been dedicated to getting feedback from the community. She submitted draft legislation to interested stakeholders and community members in October to get their comments, and her staff met with a variety of individuals and organizations to discuss what should be done. The United States Forest Service, the Sedona City Council, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, the Sedona-Red Rock Scenic Area Coalition, the Sedona-Verde Valley Association of Realtors, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, small business owners and concerned citizens all provided valuable comments and edits to the text of the proposed bill.

“I have always felt that good ideas and good policy come from the people, and I want to make sure that folks here are able to make their voices heard,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “I appreciate the contributions of all those who have offered their thoughts on this bill, and I look forward to working with them as the legislative process moves forward.”

The Congresswoman is working hard to craft legislation that creates jobs and grows the local economy while preserving the area’s natural resources and environment. She feels that the input of folks both in favor of and opposed to the proposal made the bill stronger.

“This conversation will continue, and I encourage the community to stay engaged and keep providing feedback,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “I am going to do everything I can to make sure this issue is resolved in a way that truly meets the needs of Sedona and the entire region.”

The bill is H.R. 4823, and the full text is available on the Keep Sedona Beautiful website.

You can also read the proposed National Scenic Area legislation draft, and see for yourself.

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.

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.

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.

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.