Sierra Club, Arizona’s Grand Canyon Chapter
 The Sierra Club is one of the oldest and most influential grassroots environmental organizations in the United States. The Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter was formed in 1966 in order to focus attention on stopping dams in Grand Canyon. Our work to protect the Colorado River and Grand Canyon National Park continue today and have been joined by a number of programs to safeguard other areas and issues.
The Grand Canyon Chapter seeks to engage its members and the public in protecting our communities; public lands including national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges; rivers and streams; and wildlife; plus promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in order to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change; and support transit, bike and pedestrian friendly communities to reduce air pollution and energy use.
 Sign up for News and Updates from the Grand Canyon Chapter
Current News
-
May 20, 2013, Phoenix, AZ – Western Watersheds Project and the Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter of the Sierra Club
filed a lawsuit in federal court today, to challenge livestock grazing on the Sonoran Desert National
Monument west of Phoenix. The plaintiffs seek to overturn the deeply flawed plan that allows
livestock grazing to continue on 157,210 acres administered by the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM).
Click here to read more. (218 KB pdf)
-
Please take action! The Arizona Department of Transportation recently released a Draft Environmental
Impact Statement for the proposed South Mountain Freeway, a 22–24 mile, eight-lane highway that would cut through South Mountain,
exacerbate air quality problems, and cut off wildlife movement corridors. Please speak up against this plan! You can provide
oral comments at a hearing on May 21 or submit written comments online or via mail.
Click here to read more. (257 KB pdf)
-
May 2, 2013, The Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club released the Going With the Flow report, summarizing the
results of over five years of volunteer flow monitoring on the upper Verde River by the Arizona Water Sentinels,
a grassroots citizen science program that focuses on monitoring and protecting Arizona rivers and streams.
Click here to read more. (66 KB pdf)
-
Judge Upholds Uranium Mining Ban on 1 Million Acres Near Grand Canyon,
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK—U.S. District Judge David Campbell today denied a uranium industry motion to overturn the
Obama administration’s ban on new uranium mining on 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon.
The ban was adopted January 2012 to protect the Grand Canyon’s watersheds.
The withdrawal prohibits new mining claims and development on old claims that lack “valid existing rights” to mine.
Read Full News Release (62 KB PDF)
-
Going Native: Savoring the Southwest.
Join us for this exciting conference on April 20th to learn more about our place in the southwest, including local foods and actions.
Gary Paul Nabhan will provide the keynote address, followed by insightful workshops and presentations.
Lunch and materials provided with registration.
Learn more…
-
Havasupai Tribe, Conservation Groups Challenge Uranium Mine Threatening Grand Canyon,
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK— The Havasupai tribe and three conservation groups today sued the U.S. Forest Service over its decision to allow Energy Fuels Resources, Inc. to begin operating a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park without initiating or completing formal tribal consultations and without updating an outdated 1986 federal environmental review.
Read Full News Release (120 KB PDF)
-
New Video Shows Arizona Wilderness Areas Destroyed by Border Patrol Vehicles, TUCSON, Ariz.— Conservation groups today released a video depicting off-road vehicle damage caused by Border Patrol operations in designated wilderness
areas of Arizona’s Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. The three-minute film published by Sierra Club, titled Too Many Tracks,
shows ruts, tracks and new roads slicing through once-pristine wilderness areas where motorized vehicle travel is prohibited by law. Read Full News Release (187 KB PDF)
-
Environmental Day at the Arizona Capitol a Huge Success More than120 Environmental Advocates Meet with Legislators from 25 Districts,
Phoenix, AZ – On Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at the Arizona State Capitol, more than 120 people from throughout Arizona, including from 25 different legislative districts,
met with their state legislators to encourage support of environmental protection and conservation programs.
This year’s focus was on the economic benefits of environmental protection, “Protecting Arizona’s Environment – It’s worth it!”
Read Full News Release (62 KB PDF)
-
On Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at the Arizona State Capitol,
more than 100 people from 25 different legislative districts will meet with their state legislators throughout the day to encourage support of environmental protection
and conservation programs. This year’s focus is on the economic benefits of environmental protection – “Protecting Arizona’s Environment – It’s worth it!”
Read Full News Release (82 KB PDF)
-
Grand Canyon Uranium-mining Threats Still Loom A Year After Historic Mining Restrictions, Phoenix, Ariz.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - One year after the Obama administration enacted new protections limiting uranium-mine
development on 1 million acres around Grand Canyon National Park, pollution and legal threats from the uranium industry remain. Five
uranium-industry lawsuits - one seeking upwards of $120 million from the United States - as well as plans to reopen two 1980s-era
mines still threaten the public and traditional tribal land and water within and around Grand Canyon National Park.
Read Full Release (49 KB PDF)
-
December 11, 2012, New Sierra Club Report Identifies How the Nation’s Best and Worst Transportation Projects Will Move the US Beyond Oil, or Keep Us Shackled to the Pump, South Mountain Freeway Makes the List of Worst Projects Phoenix, Ariz. – The South Mountain Freeway Project is featured in the Sierra Club’s new national report Smart Choices, Less Traffic: 50 Best and Worst Transportation Projects in the United States. The Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter and GRACE Gila River Alliance for a Clean Environment today highlighted the need to move beyond oil and why the South Mountain Freeway is an example of the kind of project that will keep Arizona dependent on oil for our daily transportation needs. More...
- November 21, 2012, Time to End Coal Burning at Tucson Power Plant,
Sundt Plant Not Economically Viable and Harmful to Community, TUCSON, AZ - In the wake of damning reports, community and environmental groups again call on Tucson Electric Power to end coal combustion in Tucson. Recently, two nationwide reports singled out Tucson’s coal-fired Sundt Generating Station for being a dirty, antiquated health hazard. Read Full Release (115 KB PDF), En Espanol
-
Arizona Voters Overwhelmingly Reject State Legislature’s Land Grab,
Proposition 120 Defeated by More Than Two-to-one Margin, Phoenix, Ariz. – Arizona voters soundly rejected Proposition 120, the “State Sovereignty” measure, by more than a two-to-one margin. Proposition 120 was referred to the ballot by the Arizona Legislature. It would have amended the Arizona Constitution to assert state sovereignty and to establish that the state has exclusive authority and jurisdiction over air, water, public lands, minerals, wildlife, and other natural resources within the state, in an attempt to both gain control of federal public lands and to undermine important federal environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. Read full article (152 KB pfd.)
-
October 29, 2012, Big Oil Friends Double Down on Sinema Attacks, Backed by 2.5 Million Donation from Chevron, Boehner's Super PAC Hits the Airwaves in Phoenix, Tempe, Phoenix, AZ -- Today, Arizona organizers for the Sierra Club's Victory Corps called out Republican candidate Vernon Parker on his close ties with a big oil-backed Super PAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund. The Super PAC just dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Arizona 9th district in an attempt to buy the election out from under the voters of the district. The Congressional Leadership Fund, Speaker of the House John Boehner's PAC, recently received a $2.5 million dollar donation from Chevron and then proceeded to buy more than $600,000 of air time in the district. More...
 GoGreen '12 Phoenix - December 6, 2012
The second annual GoGreen Conference in Phoenix, Arizona empowers business decision-makers with effective strategies and tools for improving environmental performance without sacrificing the bottom line. Featuring a line-up of 50+ renowned regional business leaders, GoGreen '12 Phoenix showcases transferrable lessons, proven sustainability solutions and high-caliber networking opportunities for Arizona state businesses looking to save money and the planet at the same time. Sierra Club members receive a $25 discount with the code "SIERRA". Learn more and register today at http://phoenix.gogreenconference.net!- September 5, 2012, Suit Filed to Protect Wildlife From Lead Poisoning in Arizona’s Kaibab National Forest PHOENIX, Ariz.— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Forest Service today for failing to protect wildlife from toxic lead in spent ammunition in Arizona’s Kaibab National Forest. The Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club and Grand Canyon Wildlands Council filed suit under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, a federal law governing disposal of hazardous waste. Lead bullet fragments from hunting contaminate the food supply for Arizona wildlife such as condors, bald and golden eagles, northern goshawks, ferruginous hawks and ravens; and are also a hazard to human health for those eating game shot with lead ammunition. Read full Press Release (70 KB pdf), Read Complaint (86 KB pdf)
- September 4, 2012, Arizona Corporation Commission’s Decision to Give Waste Incinerator Renewable Energy Credits Challenged in Arizona Superior Court
Phoenix, AZ Today, the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter filed a lawsuit challenging the Arizona Corporation Commission decision to allow trash burning to be considered a renewable energy resource under Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard. By a 3-2 vote, Commissioners Gary Pierce, Brenda Burns, and Bob Stump voted to approve this project and allow Mohave Electric Cooperative to utilize dollars intended to jumpstart clean renewable energy in Arizona. Read full Press Release (147KB pdf), Read Complaint (111 KB pdf)
- 08-31-2012 Arizona State Legislature Proposes Land Grab,
Twenty Groups Urge Arizonans to Vote No on Proposition 120 Phoenix, Ariz. – Today, 20 organizations announced their opposition to Proposition 120 and the formation of a campaign to defeat it. This fall, Arizona voters will have the opportunity to stop an attempted land grab by the Arizona Legislature. Proposition 120 – referred to the ballot by the Legislature – would amend the Arizona Constitution to assert state sovereignty and establish that the state has exclusive authority and jurisdiction over air, water, public lands, minerals, wildlife, and other natural resources within the state. Through this proposition, the Legislature is seeking to undermine protections provided by federal environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, and Clean Water Act. Read full article (128 KB pdf)
 Save the Date! National Plug In Day – September 23, 2012 Plug In America, the Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association once again join forces to create a nationwide observance drawing global attention to the environmental, economic, and other benefits of plug-in electric vehicles through simultaneous events staged around the country. More information about events near you coming soon! Learn more about National Plug In Day.- Clearing Our Skies, Why Arizona needs new safeguards to reduce coal plant pollution This month, the Environmental Protection Agency announced implementation of long-awaited protections that will lead three of Arizona’s dirtiest coal plants to limit dangerous emissions that pollute skies over Arizona’s pristine national parks, protecting public health and saving Arizonans millions of dollars in health costs. More...
-
Phoenix, AZ (July 16, 2012)— Conservation groups filed a formal protest of the Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Final Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the Sonoran Desert National Monument and Lower Sonoran Field Office. The protest focuses on a number of areas in which the Proposed RMP/Final EIS fails to comply with the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) legal mandates, policies and overall responsibilities to manage and protect our public lands. More...
-
July 3, 2012, EPA finds three aging Arizona coal power plants need major updates to curtail pollution damage to health and parks. PHOENIX – Three aging coal-fired power plants in Arizona with some of the most damaging impacts to air quality anywhere in the nation will need to upgrade their smokestack pollution control equipment under a plan proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) late yesterday. More...
-
June 26, 2012, Forest Service Approves Grand Canyon Uranium Mine Despite 26-year-old Environmental Review GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK— The U.S. Forest Service announced late Monday that it will allow Denison Mines Corp. to begin excavating the “Canyon Mine” this fall without first updating the 26-year-old environmental impact statement for the uranium mine, located due south of Grand Canyon National Park on the Kaibab National Forest. The Service claims no new public review or analysis is needed because there is no new information or circumstances relevant to its original analysis. More...
- June 20, 2012, Arizona Corporation Commission Sanctions Waste Incinerator as Renewable Energy, Promotes Burning Trash Over Clean Solar Generation Phoenix, AZ – Yesterday, on a 3-2 vote, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved allowing trash burning to be considered a renewable energy resource under Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard. This opens the door for Mohave Electric Cooperative to utilize dollars intended to jumpstart clean renewable energy and to instead subsidize a waste incinerator or waste-to-energy facility. Commissioners Gary Pierce, Brenda Burns, and Bob Stump voted to approve this project. Voting no were Commissioners Kennedy and Newman. More...
-
May 16, 2012, 2012 Arizona Legislature,
Polluters’ Best Friends Phoenix, Ariz. – Today, the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter released its annual report card on the Arizona Legislature. While the report card contained no surprises, it was notable for just how hostile the 50th Arizona Legislature was to conservation. More...
Download 2012 Environmental Report Card (1.1 MB pdf)
-
May 15, 2012, Sierra Club Releases State of the Verde River Report, Phoenix, AZ. – Today, the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club released the State of the Verde River report, summarizing the results of five years of volunteer water quality monitoring by the Arizona Water Sentinels program. Download Full Report (7.1 MB pdf). The Arizona Water Sentinels is a grassroots program within the Sierra Club that engages approximately 200 volunteers who like to “get their hands dirty and their feet wet” while doing hands-on conservation work to protect local streams in Arizona. More...
-
May 11, 2012 Contact: Feds Cave on Plan to Protect Sonoran Desert National Monument From Destructive Target Shooting PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Bureau of Land Management has abandoned a proposal to ban target shooting in Sonoran Desert National Monument, a half-million-acre gem of the National Landscape Conservation System that merits special protection under federal law. Under political pressure from gun advocates, the BLM today declared its about- face; earlier plans for the monument admitted that target shooting was harming the resources the monument was established to protect. More...
-
February 27, 2012, Industry Tries to Overturn Ban on Grand Canyon Uranium Mining WASHINGTON— In an attempt to open public lands around Grand Canyon National Park to dangerous new uranium mining, the National Mining Association today filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Interior Department’s recent enactment of a 20-year ban on new uranium mining development across 1 million acres. In response, the Center for Biological Diversity, Grand Canyon Trust and Sierra Club, represented by Earthjustice and Western Mining Action Project, announced plans to intervene on the side of the government to defend the Grand Canyon. More...
-
January 31, 2012 Celebrate Arizona’s Centennial Through Conservation!, More than 100 Conservation Advocates Meet with State Legislators for Environmental Day at the Capitol. Phoenix, AZ – Today at the Arizona State Capitol, more than 100 people from 25 different legislative districts and representing more than 20 groups met with their state legislators in support of environmental protection and conservation programs. More...
-
January 9, 2012, Grand Canyon’s Million-acre Uranium Mining Ban Finalized
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz.— Conservation groups are applauding the Obama administration’s final decision today protecting 1 million acres of public land around Grand Canyon National Park from new uranium mining. Today’s Interior Department “record of decision” establishes a 20-year ban on new uranium mining and mining of current claims without valid permits across 1 million acres (more than 1,500 square miles). The ban will protect Grand Canyon’s springs and creeks, as well as imperiled species like the humpback chub, from uranium-mining pollution. More...
|
Grand Canyon Echo
Spring 2013 Echo
(3.9 MB pdf)
Previous Issues and latest Beyond
the Slab cartoon!
Sign up for an e-Alert rather than receiving a paper copy.
Canyon Echo Goes Wiki
This online version includes all the articles and information found in the newsprint Canyon Echo that's mailed quarterly, but with a lot more.
Legislative Updates
Sierra Club 2013 Legislative Updates
Arizona Bill Tracker
Find out more about the bills we are tracking in the AZ Legislature.
Arizona Bill Tracker
2012 Environmental Report Card
2012 Environmental Report Card, Arizona Legislature and Governor,
Issued May 16, 2011 (1.1 MB pdf)
From the ‘How-To’ Files:
Catch Some Rays!
|
