Petroglyph National Monument - Stupa Controversy

Stupa Controversy

In 1989, at least a year prior to the National Monument's establishment, a Tibetan Buddhist stupa was built and consecrated on what was then private land owned by Harold Cohen and Ariane Emery. The National Park Service subsequently used eminent domain to seize this land and make it part of the Monument, over the owners' objections. The stupa was not removed, but all buildings on the land were razed.

On June 10, 2010, the Superintendent of Petroglyph National Monument sent an email stating that "hile soils are being stockpiled nearby for the future construction of an amphitheater, the National Park Service has no plans for the Stupa." This contradicts verbal information given by at least one park ranger at the Monument. The Monument website was also updated to describe the construction projects and clarify that the Stupa was not to be demolished.

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