National monument around Sedona?

[azdesertfather]

Let the online brawl begin... This should be interesting! Can't wait to hear what some of you think...

What's rocking Sedona? A red rock monument, Obama, and a fistfight

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loc ... /72083486/

[The_Eagle]

@azdesertfather
That did not sound like BobP's voice?

[joebartels]

National Monument because Sedona can't handle the traffic?

Rock is tough, I haven't noticed any wear over the years. Those are some of the cleanest trails in the state too.

[kingsnake]

The cat's already out of the bag with Sedona. Time to do that was at least 20 years ago ...

[chumley]

I don't understand the benefit to making it a National Monument if it will still be managed by the forest service. So what changes? Some new signs?

The obvious downside is when there's a government shutdown a National Monument closes, whereas if it stays National Forest you can still hike there.

[outdoor_lover]

A National Monument is more Restrictive in what the Land can be used for....So there would be no Cattle, Mining etc. That's why there's a Push to make everything a Monument. Much easier to get Monument Status than Wilderness Status I'm thinking...A National Forest is Managed, a National Monument is Protected....

[chumley]

So there would be no Cattle, Mining etc. ... a National Monument is Protected....

This is patently false.

National Monuments are not automatically closed to managed uses such as grazing. But they can be. And the process for doing so is different from working with the FS. Perhaps that's the issue.

And what about iconic things like Pink Jeep Tours. Those are currently operated under licensing agreements with the FS. I suspect a monument designation threatens that or at least changes the way that business would be allocated?