Grand Canyon Times

Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee has aligned with other state legislators in a legal challenge against the Biden Administration. The lawsuit alleges that the administration's appropriation of nearly a million acres of land in Arizona was an overreach of power.

"I am suing the Biden Administration for violation of the Antiquities Act", said Kimberly Yee, according to X. "Biden's unlawful land grab will directly affect our economy and the livelihoods of our citizens by devaluing state trust lands. It must be stopped."

In 2023, the Biden administration assumed control of more than 900,000 acres spanning both Coconino and Mohave counties. This land was designated as a "national monument" named the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.

The lawsuit challenges the Biden Administration's interpretation of the Antiquities Act, asserting that "the only thing preventing the Biden Administration from declaring all federal land a national monument is its discretion." Once land is declared a national monument, it comes under presidential control regarding use and development.

Yee said in a press release from her office, "We must protect the value of state trust lands for the future of Arizona. This unlawful land grab by the Biden Administration will directly affect Arizona's economy and the livelihoods of our citizens." She added, "The Federal Government needs to compensate the permanent school fund for the tens of thousands of trust land parcels left economically isolated by President Biden's decision. This big hand of government will hurt our K-12 education beneficiaries most."

Joining Yee in this lawsuit are State Senate President Warren Petersen, House Speaker Ben Toma, Mohave County, Colorado City, and Fredonia - areas affected by this change in land ownership.