Biden creates a new national monument near the Grand Canyon

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/08/ [login to see] /biden-national-monument-grand-canyon-arizona
President Biden designated a new national monument near the Grand Canyon on Tuesday. The move protects lands that are sacred to indigenous peoples and permanently bans new uranium mining claims in the area. It covers nearly 1 million acres.

The president gave remarks at the Historic Red Butte Airfield in Arizona before signing the proclamation and visiting the Grand Canyon.

"Our nation's history is etched in our people and in our lands," Biden said. "Today's action is going to protect and preserve that history, along with these high plateaus and deep canyons."

Tuesday's announcement is part of a trip that will include New Mexico and Utah, where Biden is making the case for how he's tackling the climate and economic challenges facing Americans in the West.