Dear Park Friend,

I hope you are having a good start to the winter season and enjoying parks and public lands, even in the snow. The National Parks Conservation Association and our Southwest team are preparing for the new administration and Congress in DC. As non-partisan park protectors, we have worked successfully through 19 previous presidents and had significant successes during the last Trump administration. We will continue to use the magic of our national parks to unite people and pursue positive change. The Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine, within the boundaries of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, provides one clear example of the reforms needed to protect these important landscapes.

Utah National Monuments Move Forward with Management Plans
In August, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Proposed Management Plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, followed two months later by the Bears Ears National Monument Plan. When finalized within the next month, these plans will bring more consistent management and protection to the natural and cultural resources within the greater regional landscape, connecting five treasured national park sites in southern Utah. NPCA will stand strong against any efforts to shrink, eliminate or compromise protection of these monuments.

We are proud of our participation in the collaborative process on the Bears Ears plan with the bureau, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bears Ears Commission and Inter-Tribal Coalition, and partner organizations, resulting in an inspiring and long-overdue model of Tribal co-stewardship. The Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Zuni Tribe, Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation provided invaluable perspective and presentations in public meetings, and also aired local radio ads in Tribal languages to encourage participation.

Advocating for Clean Air and Park Views Across the Region
Haze pollution not only obscures scenic views in our national parks, but it also jeopardizes public health. NPCA and park advocates like you have been working for decades to hold polluters accountable for the pollution they emit that muddies our views and makes it hard to breathe. Our advocacy resulted in a huge win for parks in Utah and across the region: the federal Environmental Protection Agency just finalized a partial disapproval of Utah's state regional haze plan, requiring the state to correct the deficiencies and create a new plan that will reduce haze pollution in our national parks and wilderness areas.

In the opposite corner of our region, New Mexico's regional haze plan is open for public comment until the public hearing on April 28 - 30, 2025. NPCA supports the plan, which will require gas-fired power plants and other industrial facilities to clean up their pollution. We are also celebrating the recent win in the successful appeal of the Ozone Precursor Rule, which will reduce other harmful emissions that affect parks and communities in the state.

Protecting the Visitor Experience at Arches National Park
Joining other popular national parks across the country, Arches National Park in Utah is moving toward finalizing its Visitor Access and Experience Plan. The plan will help alleviate traffic congestion and crowding, protect delicate park resources, and importantly provide a higher-quality visitor experience. NPCA generated 1,860 comments from advocates like you during the process, showing the public’s support for the plan.

Even "Backpacker" magazine is paying attention. In the article, Iree Wheeler, a PhD student at Utah State, is quoted telling NPCA, “This study shows that many visitors to Arches National Park had a positive experience with the pilot timed-entry.” It is working and making a difference.

Federal Funding to Care for Parks Throughout the Four Corners
Since 2020, the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) has helped fund over 400 major repair and maintenance projects in national parks across the country. NPCA recently highlighted some of the latest projects, including four in the Southwest region: Bandelier National Monument (NM), Grand Canyon National Park (AZ), Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (CO) and Zion National Park (UT). GAOA has provided over $272 million to these four parks for everything from new staff housing to rehabbing dated visitor facilities and critical deferred infrastructure maintenance for the public.

GAOA is one of the most important infusions of funding for our financially strapped national parks in many years. Please take action to ensure that the critical GAOA is reauthorized for at least another five years to continue investing in our parks and strengthening local economies.

On behalf of the Southwest Team, wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season,

Ernie Atencio
Southwest Regional Director

P.S. During this season of giving, please consider a year-end gift to help fund our park protection work, especially as we move into unpredictable waters with upcoming changes in DC. NPCA will be on the front lines protecting parks, as we have been since 1919. Here’s a holiday wish list idea: Add a trip to your national parks!