CONNECTION TO COUNCIL GOALS AND/OR REGIONAL PLAN:
Goal E&C.4. Integrate available science into policies governing the use and conservation of Flagstaff's natural resources.
Goal E&C.5. Preserve dark skies as an unspoiled natural resource, basis for an important economic sector, and core element of community character.
Goal E&C.6. Protect, restore, and improve ecosystem health and maintain native plant and animal community diversity across all land ownerships in the Flagstaff region.
Goal E&C.7. Give special consideration to environmentally sensitive lands in the development design and review process (Policy E&C.8.2).
Goal E&C.8. Maintain areas of natural quiet and reduce noise pollution.
Goal E&C.9. Protect soils through conservation practices.
Goal OS.1. The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped  natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health.
Goal LU.3. Continue to enhance the region's unique sense of place within the urban, suburban, and rural context (Policy LU.3.3).

The Walnut Canyon Study was compiled by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) for purposes of determining how best to manage the USFS lands adjacent to the Walnut Canyon National Monument.   The Study was authorized in Section 7201 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Public Law 111-11, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 30, 2009. The text of Section 7201 requests that the Study aim to assess “the suitability and feasibility of designating all or part of the study area as an addition to Walnut Canyon National Monument, continued management of the study area by the Forest Service or any other designation or management option that would provide for (i) protection of resources within the study area; and (ii) continued access to, and use of, the study area by the public.” 

The Study was supported by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors and Flagstaff City Council in a joint resolution numbered 2002-65 and 2002-92, respectively. In the joint resolution, the City Council and the Board of Supervisor supported a federal authorization for a special resources and land management study of federal lands surrounding Walnut Canyon National Monument for purposes of determining how best to protect these lands from future development. 
 
The final Walnut Canyon Study was released on January 31, 2014. On February 3, 2014, representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service presented an update on the Study to the Flagstaff City Council and Coconino County Board of Supervisors.  On February 25, 2014, staff presented a brief presentation to City Council highlighting the three protection options recommended in the Study.  City Council requested an additional work session to discuss the options and impacts in greater detail. On June 10, 2014 staff from the City, US Forest Service and Flagstaff Area National Monuments provided an overview of the study and the three management options. The City Council requested staff to return with boundary alternatives in support of option two as outlined in the Walnut Canyon Special Study.
 
On April 15, 2014, the Coconino Board of Supervisors adopted resolution 2014-17 regarding Walnut Canyon.  The resolution supports option two in the Study, which provides the highest level of protection for Federal land that Congress can bestow and to continue existing access and uses.