Nov 6, 2015 | Arizona Mining Oversight, Oak Flat Mining |
On November 5, 2015, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced a bill in the US Senate to repeal the Oak Flat land exchange (Section 3003 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015). Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) are original co-sponsors of the bill. The number of the new bill is S. 2242 and is a companion bill to the House version (H.R. 2811) introduced in June, 2015 by Representative Grijalva (D-AZ) which now has 36 co-sponsors.
The new Senate bill is another example of growing support for the repeal of the Oak Flat land exchange which would give US public land at Oak Flat to a foreign mining company. Oak Flat is sacred and an ecological and recreational haven.
you can see a copy of S. 2242 here.
Nov 2, 2015 | Action Alert, Arizona Mining Oversight, Oak Flat Mining |
Please contact your Members of Congress today and ask them to cosponsor the Save Oak Flat Act to repeal Section 3003 of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Last December in the closing days of the 113th Congress in the dead of night, Rio Tinto’s Congressional supporters stuck the Oak Flat land exchange onto a must past national defense bill. The land exchange became Section 3003 of the defense bill. Section 3003 has nothing to do with national defense, but Rio Tinto’s supports knew that the land exchange would not pass on its own.
In June of this year, Congressman Grijalva from Arizona introduced HR 2811, the Save Oak Flat Act, which will repeal Section 3003 and keep Oak Flat as public land. As of now, 36 members of Congress from both parties have cosponsored this bill.
With your help, that number will grow and the bill will pass and protect Oak Flat!
Thanks,
Roger Featherstone, Director
Aug 14, 2015 | Arizona Mining Oversight |
On August 5, 2015, a cleanup crew hired by the US EPA accidentally triggered the release of more than 3 million gallons of toxic acid mine drainage that had pooled inside the defunct Gold King Mine in the headwaters of the Animas River.
The toxic plume colored the Animas a neon orange-yellow and forced the closure of the Animas for more than a week and contaminated water wells along the river. The plume is now traveling down the San Juan River and will end up in Lake Powell.
This is a tragic event to be sure and many are blaming the EPA. Without a doubt, congress and state agencies will be using this accident as a blunt instrument to attack the EPA. However, there is plenty of blame to go around.
Jul 20, 2015 | Action Alert, Arizona Mining Oversight, Oak Flat Mining |
Please contact your Congressional Representative today and ask him/her to cosponsor the Save Oak Flat Act to repeal Section 3003 of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Last December in the closing days of the 113th Congress in the dead of night, Rio Tinto’s Congressional supporters stuck the Oak Flat land exchange onto a must past national defense bill. The land exchange became Section 3003 of the defense bill. Section 3003 has nothing to do with national defense, but Rio Tinto’s supports knew that the land exchange would not pass on its own.
Jun 26, 2015 | Action Alert, Arizona Mining Oversight, Oak Flat Mining |
The National Park Service is accepting comments about placing Oak Flat on the list of National Historic Places as a Traditional Cultural Property because of its sacredness and significance to Native American Tribes.
The nomination would list Oak Flat as a Traditional Cultural Property on the National Register of Historic Places. (Note that the nomination uses the Apache name for Oak Flat, Chi’chil Bildagoteel.)
Please take action and sign a letter to the National Park Service (who is responsible for making the final decision on adding Oak Flat to the list) to help protect Oak Flat.
The deadline for you to sign the letter is noon (Arizona Time) on Monday, June 29, so act now.
Jun 24, 2015 | Arizona Mining Oversight, Oak Flat Mining |
National Trust for Historic Preservation names sacred Arizona site threatened by copper mining to list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
(Oak Flat, Arizona) — The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Oak Flat, near Superior, Arizona, to its 2015 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The annual list spotlights important examples of the nation’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage that are at risk of destruction or irreparable damage.
Jun 18, 2015 | Arizona Mining Oversight |
Observances and ceremonies will be held across the land on June 19-24 to mark the 2015 National Days of Prayer to Protect Native American Sacred Places.
The prayer events include Oak Flat.
The observance in Washington, D.C. will be held on Friday, June 19, at 8:30 a.m., on the United States Capitol Grounds, West Front Grassy Area Nine (see details under Washington, D.C. in the alphabetical listing by state on the following pages).
Go here for the press release and schedule of events.
May 28, 2015 | Action Alert, Arizona Mining Oversight, Oak Flat Mining |
Come to Oak Flat May 30 – 31 to protect Oak Flat
The Apache Stronghold will be hosting a concert, and spiritual and educational events this weekend at Oak Flat.
A concert featuring traditional Apache songs and Native American musicians will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday May 30 at Oak Flat. Entertainment will continue all afternoon and culminate with Apache Mountain Spirit Dancers (around 5:00).
Sunday’s events will begin at 8:00 am with a traditional Apache Holy Ground ceremony. Holy Ground will be followed by concurrent educational and action events including an art project, an eco tour, a spiritual tour, and an Apache community meeting.
All events are free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Meals will be provided, but bring warm clothes (for the evening), sun protection (during the day), and a chair. Bring camping equipment if you plan to camp overnight.
Oak Flat Campground is located south of US Highway 60 4 miles east of Superior, AZ. You will see a Highway sign for the campground coming from either direction on Highway 60. Follow signs into the campground.
Background
In December, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law. It included the Oak Flat land exchange, which allows for multi-national mining company, Rio Tinto, to move forward on a proposal for an enormous copper mine. The mine would decimate a piece of the Tonto National Forest of Arizona, including the popular recreation area, Oak Flat. While the environmental impacts of this project would reach generations into the future, the absolute disregard for indigenous rights to the area has made the call to action on Oak Flat a moral imperative.
The land near the Oak Flat Campground is a sacred site to the indigenous tribes in the area, including the Apache. The new law allows Rio Tinto a run-around to avoid complying with indigenous rights to the land. Activists have been working for many years on the issue and actions are being planned this winter throughout the region to raise awareness and stop the destruction of this wild and sacred space.
For more information
