Chiricahua becomes America's 64th national park

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 13:58 · Archive

An area of towering rock spires in south-eastern Arizona has been designated the United States' 64th national park.

An area of towering rock spires in south-eastern Arizona known as Chiricahua has become the United States' 64th national park. President Donald Trump signed the legislation on Tuesday after it passed Congress with bipartisan backing. The 12,000-acre site, known among Native Americans as the Land of Standing-Up Rocks and to early settlers as the Wonderland of Rocks, was previously designated a national monument in 1924 to protect its distinctive rhyolite hoodoos and wildlife. It joins the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and Saguaro as Arizona's fourth national park.

The site lies within the historical territory of the Chiricahua Apache tribes. The rock formations were created from an ancient volcanic eruption. For centuries the Apache, nomadic tribes who often resisted European newcomers, lived there until they surrendered to US troops in 1886 and were forcibly removed to the San Carlos Apache reservation.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said: 'Chiricahua's towering rock spires, rich Apache heritage and remarkable biodiversity make it one of America's most extraordinary landscapes.' The new designation will strengthen local economies and welcome more visitors, he added. The bill preserves tribal access for traditional ceremonies and allows temporary public closures to protect those cultural uses, although specifics have not yet been decided, according to US Representative Juan Ciscomani.

How it is being reported

• This 'wonderland of rocks' just became America's 64th national parkChiricahua joins the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and Saguaro as the fourth national park in ArizonaIndependent World · 22 Oct, 13:33
• Chiricahua monument in Arizona is now the 64th US national parkNew designation of the Land of Standing-Up Rocks, known for its historic rock spires, passed with bipartisan support An area of towering rock spires in south-eastern Arizona known among Native Americans as the Land of Standing-Up Rocks has become the nation’s newest national park. Legislation to create Chiricahua national park was sent to the White House and Donald Trump signed it on Tuesday. It passed Congress with bipartisan backing and is now the 64th US national park. Continue reading...Guardian World · 22 Oct, 13:08

In this story: Chiricahua · Arizona · Donald Trump · Chiricahua Apache · Doug Burgum · Juan Ciscomani

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