Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area

the logical next step to protecting our forest lands


On January 24, 2006, the Sedona City Council determined that establishing a Red Rock' National Scenic Area should be Rep. Rick Renzi's number one legislative priority this year. Previously, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council and many citizens sent letters to Rep. Renzi supporting the special designation which has been granted just seven other special places in National Forests in California, Georgia, Oklahoma, Virginia and Washington. One hundred and sixty thousand acres of National Forest lands in the Sedona area are currently protected by the Coconino National Forest Management Plan which includes Amendment 12 that places restrictions on land trades. However, the U.S. Government has announced plans to sell National Forest lands across the Southwest, including some in Arizona. Forest Management Plans, including Amendment 12, are subject to change, too. That is why the Sedona City Council, both County Boards of Supervisors, the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council and thousands of residents firmly believe that U.S. National Forest lands in the Sedona area warrant permanent special protection and deserve to be honored as a National Scenic Area.
Keep Sedona Beautiful, Inc.
preserving the wonder

After reading the following information please click here to print a form which we will send to our representatives.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  1. Will NSA make it harder to acquire land for community needs including schools and roads? No. The legislation continues to allow local municipalities to acquire land for community needs.
  2. Will NSA add a new layer of government? No. The U.S. Forest Service, a federal agency, will continue to implement the management policy for the Scenic Area.
  3. Will NSA designation restrict private property rights? No. The legislation does not apply to private property.
  4. Why not just work to make Amendment 12 permanent? Amendment 12 is not a law. It is part of the Fore~t Management Plan which is periodically revised to meet National Forest Service needs. This Bill makes permanent the land exchange restrictions of Amendment 12.


WHAT CAN WE DO?
We need you help to preserve the scenic beauty of our treasure, Sedona-Red Rock national scenic area!
  1. Call Sen. John McCain (602-952-2410) and Congressman Rick Renzi (866-537-2800) and request that they introduce the Bill in Congress during this session.
  2. Sign the support statements requesting that the Bill be introduced. These are available from KSB.
  3. Volunteer to help get the legislation introduced and passed. Call Barbara Litrell, President, Keep Sedona Beautiful, for more information. 649-0135 or 282-4938 or blitrell@ao1.com.
KeepSedona Beautiful, Inc.
Preserving the wonder

Keep Sedona Beautiful promotes conservation of the greater Sedona area and, by all practical means, seeks to preserve the unique natural environment and to enhance the quality of life for future generations.

Keep Sedona Beautiful, Inc.
PO Box 1066, Sedona, AZ 86339 282-4938 www.keepsedonabeautiful.org

Read the Bill


The following Bill was drafted by staff members in the offices of Senator John McCain and Congressman Rick Renzi with input from the Sedona Red-Rock National Scenic Area task force from Keep Sedona Beautiful, Inc, Don't let anyone tell you what the bill does or doesn't do. Please read it!

A BILL

To establish the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area in the Coconino National Forest, Arizona, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress, assembled,

Section 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the "Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Act of2006".

Section 2. DEFINITIONS
 In this Act:
  1. RESOURCE PLAN-The term "Resource Plan" means the Coconino National Forest Land and Resource Plan, dated June 1998
  2. SCENIC AREA - The term "Scenic Area' means the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area established by section 3 (a)
  3. SECRETARY - The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture.

Section 3. SEDONA-RED ROCK NATIONAL SCENIC AREA, COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST, ARIZONA
  1. ESTABLISHMENT - There is established in the Coconino National Forest, Arizona, the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area for the purposes of
    1. protecting and preserving the scenic quality and natural resources of the Scenic Area; and
    2. restoring and enhancing the natural and historic values of the Scenic Area.
  2. BOUNDARIES- The Scenic Area shall consist of approximately 160,000 acres of land in the Coconino National Forest, Arizona, as generally depicted on the map entitled "Planning Area Overview" and dated June 1998.
  3. MAP AND BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION
    1. IN GENERAL- As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file with the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a map and boundmy description of the Scenic Area.
    2. FORCE AND EFFECT-The map and boundary description filed under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct any minor errors in the map and boundary description.
    3. AVAILABILITY OF MAP AND BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION - The map and boundary description filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
  4. ADMINISTRATION
    1. IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall administer the Scenic Area in accordance with(A) this Act; and (B) the laws(including regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System.
    2. CONFLICT BETWEEN LAWS - In the event of conflict between this Act and the laws (including regulations) applicable to the National Forest System, this Act shall take precedence.
  5. RESTRICTION ON EXCHANGES OF LAND IN THE SCENIC AREA- The Secretary may exchange National Forest System land in the Scenic Area only if
    1. The exchange results in the acquisition of National Forest System land in the Scenic Area from a willing seller; and
    2. An environmental analysis (including an opportunity for public comment) is completed in accordance with the Resource Plan before the exchange.
  6. WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION- A wildfire in the Scenic Area shall be suppressed
    1. In a manner consistent with the purposes of the Scenic Area; and
    2. Using such means as. the Secretary determines to be appropriate to save lives and personal property.
  7. CONTROL OF INSECTS AND DISEASE- The Secretary may control insect and plant or animal disease outbreaks in the Scenic Area to
    1. Maintain scenic quality:
    2. Prevent tree mortality;
    3. Reduce hazards to visitors; or
    4. Protect private property.
  8. NO EFFECT ON SURROUNDING LAND- The establishment of the Scenic Area does not affect the management of
    1. State, municipal, or private land located in the vicinity of the National Forest System land that is included in the Scenic area; or
    2. National Forest System land that is not included in the Scenic Area.
  9. NO EFFECT ON FOREST SERVICE PLANNING POLICIES- Except as provided in subsection (e), the establishment of the Scenic Area does not affect the Resource Plan, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.
  10. NO EFFECT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCRETION- The establishment of the Scenic Area does not affect the discretion of local governing bodies (including counties, municipalities, and fire and school districts) to seek assistance from the Secretary with respect to the resolution oflocal infrastructure and land use issues that involve National Forest System land within the Scenic Area.