# Plain Language Summary: Chiricahua National Park Act

This bill upgrades Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona to the status of a national park. Currently, Chiricahua is managed as a monument, which is a lower designation than a national park. The bill essentially renames and reclassifies the existing monument, giving it the same legal standing as other major national parks like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. The land itself doesn't change—it's the same 11,000+ acres of dramatic rock formations and desert landscape in southeastern Arizona—but the new designation signals greater federal commitment to protecting and preserving the area long-term.

The bill creates a tribal commission made up of representatives from Native American tribes with historical ties to the area. This commission will advise the park's management on decisions affecting the park, ensuring that tribal knowledge and perspectives shape how the park is run. The bill also guarantees that Native Americans from culturally affiliated tribes can collect plants and minerals from the park for traditional, religious, and cultural purposes—like gathering materials for ceremonies or traditional crafts. The park can temporarily close small sections to the general public when tribes need to conduct these activities. Additionally, the bill protects sacred and culturally significant sites within the park and ensures tribal members have access to them for religious practices.

On the mining and resource extraction side, the bill prevents new mining operations and mineral leasing on park land going forward, though it respects any mining rights that already existed before the bill passed. Hunting and fishing that are currently allowed will continue to be permitted. Essentially, this bill transforms Chiricahua from a protected monument into a full national park while giving Native American tribes a formal voice in how it's managed and protecting their ability to use the land for cultural and spiritual purposes.

Chiricahua National Park Act

Kirkpatrick, Ann

Chiricahua National Park Act This bill redesignates the Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona as the Chiricahua National Park. The Department of the Interior shall ensure the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites in the park. Interior shall allow an enrolled member of any Indian tribe that is culturally affiliated with the land located within the boundaries of the park to collect plants, including parts or products of plants, and mineral resources within the park for noncommercial traditional, religious, customary, and cultural uses. Interior shall establish a tribal commission for the park in order to ensure that its management reflects the expertise and traditional and historical knowledge of members of applicable Indian tribes. The land located within the boundaries of the park is withdrawn from <ul> <li>location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and</li> <li>disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing.</li> </ul> Any land or interest in land that is acquired by the United States for inclusion in the park shall be immediately withdrawn as specified above.