In 2002, the Flagstaff City Council and the Coconino County Board of Supervisors sought to protect the federal land surrounding Walnut Canyon National Monument from development.  Twelve years later, a federal study has given us an excellent way to achieve that goal.

Option 2 seeks Congressional designation of a special management area, such as a National Conservation or Scenic Area, to provide the highest level of protection for federal land that Congress can bestow and to continue existing access and uses.

The Forest Service would continue to manage its current land in the Study Area.