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Copper Area News
The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act was approved by the US House of Representatives yesterday. The bill was included in the National Defense Authorization Act that was approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday afternoon. It is expected to be voted on in the Senate on Tuesday.
The land exchange was included in the defense authorization bill which included a bipartisan agreement under the jurisdiction of the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The National Defense Authorization Act is passed each year to approve how the military can spend their money and allocate their budget.
There were a few amendments to the land exchange bill which include additional environmental protections. The amendments included that the federal land will not be transferred to the mining company until the environmental studies are completed, it will also allow Native American tribes to access the property until the area in longer safe to use. Another critical amendment designates 807 acres of the Apache Leap Cliffs as a special management area which places it under Forest Service Protection. The designation of the Apache Leap will allow the Forest Service and other stakeholders to monitor the area and ensure that mine operations are not destroying the cliffs.
Arizona Representatives Ann Kirkpatrick and Paul Gosar introduced this bill in 2013 and worked in a bipartisan effort to see the legislation advance. “Rural Arizona and our entire state won big today. Superior and the Copper Corridor have more than a century’s legacy of mining, with generations of families working in local copper mines. And today, they have a future that includes more jobs and economic stability,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “This project will empower folks to stay in these wonderful small towns, make a living and raise a family. I was honored to work with Congressman Gosar and Senator McCain on this important legislation, and I thank them for their efforts. I urge the Senate to pass it and the president to sign it so we can get the job done for Arizona,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick.
Rep. Gosar stated: “This is a great day for America and a great day for Arizona. Copper is once again king in Arizona, and our military and our manufacturing base will be assured of critical domestic copper supplies. I am extremely pleased that the House once again passed my Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act. Attaching to the must pass Defense Authorization makes a lot of sense as my bill will lead to new critical mineral production and paves the way for mining one of the largest copper deposits ever discovered in North America, producing enough copper to meet nearly 25 percent of US demand. It was a true pleasure working closely with Senator McCain who is spearheading this effort in the Senate.”
In addition to including the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation act, there were other lands bills included in the act. In a press release from the House Committee on Natural Resources the included bills will help to expand American energy and mineral production, protect jobs and will balance conservation designations with federal land conveyances. The other lands bills included in the bill were H.R. 5205 Northern Nevada Land Conservation and Economic Development Act, and H.R 4350 Northern Cheyenne Lands Act both of these bills will allow for the expansions of mines in those states.
The Resolution Copper project is expected to create 3,700 jobs and generate $60 billion dollars in revenue over the life of the mine.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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