Republican reps oppose proposed monument near Grand Canyon

PHOENIX (AP) - Four Republicans in Arizona's U.S. House delegation are going on record as opposing a push to create a national monument near the Grand Canyon.

Reps. Paul Gosar, David Schweikert, Trent Franks and Matt Salmon are among lawmakers who signed a letter urging President Barack Obama to not designate the Grand Canyon's watershed as a national monument.

The letter says resources in the sparsely populated Arizona Strip region just south of the Utah border are now being managed appropriately.

Supporters say the designation would protect the watershed and large-diameter trees.

The area has towering cliffs and canyons, grasslands, forest and desert used by hunters, ranchers and hikers.

The proposed monument would lie between two other national monuments north of the Grand Canyon and include some forest land to the south.