GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - President Clinton yesterday created the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, leaving environmentalists satisfied but some Utah residents dejected.

Although environmentalists were asking for 5.7 million acres to be included, Clinton signed an executive order during his second visit to Arizona in a week, creating a 1.7 million acre park, according to information from the National Park and Conservation Association.

The park is the largest national monument in the contiguous 48 states.

"In a short time the president will go a short distance to sign a very important document," said Vice President Al Gore. "It means a lot to me and everyone here."

Clinton said he feels preserving the monument is important for all Americans, including future generations.

"Our parents and grandparents saved the Grand Canyon for us," Clinton said. "Today, we will save the Grand Escalante Canyon for our children."

"I want those sights to be (available) for all Americans for a long time to come," Clinton said. "Very few things we have done will have a more long lasting effect than this."

Committees have recommended the preservation of the canyon since 1988, according to the National Parks and Conservation Association.

Following the announcement, Utah Republican leaders and southern Utah residents licked their wounds over losing control of one of the state's longest-running battles pitting preservation against development.

Clinton's election-year move could halt development in what is considered the largest unmined coal reserve in the country and forces the state to trade out trust lands that would have earned large coal royalties for public schools.

Yet Clinton said preserving the canyon will not take from the children of Utah.

Gore said, "There's a simple principle we teach our children - we have to leave things not only as we found them, but better."

Actor and environmental activist Robert Redford, said at the rally, "It's been said the land is being taken. I believe, rather, it is staying exactly where it should be. Today, as far as I'm concerned, is a great day. The land should stay with the people ."

Arizona leaders, including Flagstaff Councilman Rick Lopez and Winslow Mayor Jim Boles, were also present and asked the president to oppose development at the Grand Canyon.

The stop of development on the south rim boundary would included stopping the constuction of 5,000 hotel rooms and 13 movie theaters.

If today's appearance gains Arizona's support for Clinton, it will be the first time in 48 years the state will not be considered Republican territory. The last time Arizona backed a Democratic presidential candidate was Harry Truman in 1948.

According to The Arizona Republic, an internal Dole campaign poll taken late last month showed Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole leading Clinton 41 percent to 40 percent in Arizona.

In a telephone survey conducted by Northern Arizona Uuniversity's Social Research Laboratory released Tuesday, Clinton has 43 percent of the state's support while Dole has 42 percent. Both polls showed Reform party presidential candidate Ross Perot is sup ported by 9 percent of registered Arizona voters.

Theresa Curry is a reporter for The Lumberjack, the student newspaper at Northern Arizona University. The Associated Press also contributed to this report.

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