Chiricahua National Park becomes Arizona's newest national park

Arizona now has a fourth national park. The White House approving the Chiricahua National Park Act today. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum made that announcement from our state today. Peyton May from our Fox affiliate in Tucson was there and shares how this could boost tourism and infrastructure for the area. It's a big day in southern Arizona. For the first time in 16 years, a new national park has been named and it's right here in Cochise County. Chiricahua National Park is the 64th park to earn that designation. a title this community says could be a game changer for them. Welcome to the National Park System as a flagship national park, Chiricahua National Park. Congratulations. After more than 30 years, Arizona is adding another national park to its roster, this time in Cochise County. This is the biggest thing going on in the country today. And we're right here witnessing it. On Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump signed the Chiricahua National Park Act into law. A milestone Wilcox Mayor Greg Hancock says has been years in the making. It represents investment in rural America, a commitment to preserving one of the nation's greatest natural treasures, and an opportunity that will benefit generations to come. The 102-year-old monument saw roughly 70,000 visitors last year. For context, that's about the same number of people to visit the Grand Canyon in a single week. But U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum says he expects that to change with the park's new designation. That number is going to go way up and then we have to back that up with support, staffing, dollars for infrastructure and programming. National Parks in Arizona brought in $2.4 billion in revenue last year. That's why Secretary Burgum believes Wilcox will see an influx of tourism and economic investment as people from across the country flock to its newest park. He says those investments will be matched with funding from the National Park Service. Whether it's water systems, sewer, trail maintenance, the interpretation, visitor centers, all those budgets get bigger once you become a national park. Despite the Park Service having billions of dollars in deferred maintenance projects, Secretary Burgum says they're focused on making up those costs through public and private investments. Congressman Juan Ciscomani, whose district includes Chiricahua National Park, says that's one of his goals too, once Congress returns from session. This is a legacy aspect for this region. And a defining moment for our state and the entire region here and even our country as we add our newest national park. Secretary Burgum says their first order of business will be rebranding signage to reflect the park's new name. After that, they'll focus on installing new water systems and other maintenance projects.