[1] While the area was already protected from most development, the monument designation made permanent a 20-year moratorium on new uranium mining put in place in 2012.

[1] It includes four areas of critical environmental concern: Moonshine Ridge, Kanab Creek, Johnson Spring, and Marble Canyon.

These include cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, building remnants, troves of pottery, and sites with ancient stone tools.

[10] In 2012, President Barack Obama's Interior Secretary Ken Salazar issued a moratorium on new uranium mining claims in the region surrounding the Grand Canyon, effective until 2032.

[14] Congressman Raúl Grijalva and Senator Kyrsten Sinema called for the creation of the monument and introduced bills to do so in July 2023.

[16] President Joe Biden visited Arizona on August 8, 2023 and issued a proclamation establishing the monument near Red Butte in its southern portion.

[1][23][20] In February 2024, legislative Republicans in Arizona filed a lawsuit challenging the monument, alleging that it is too large and will unduly limit mining and ranching.