The full House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Thursday on the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013 (H.R. 687), legislation sponsored by Representative Paul Gosar authorizing a land exchange that would open up the largest copper mine in North America and create more than 3,700 local jobs.
The mine would also generate more than $61.4 billion in economic activity and could supply 25 percent or more of the nation’s domestic copper demand.
The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act authorizes a federal land exchange that will open the third largest undeveloped copper resource in the world, located near Superior, Arizona. In exchange, more than 5,000 acres of high-value Arizona conservation lands – encompassing endangered species, sensitive ecosystems, recreational sites and historic landmarks – will be protected.
The Senate companion to Rep. Gosar’s bill, introduced by Arizona’s Senators, is S. 339. Both the Senate and House versions are nearly identical to the bill Rep. Gosar introduced and navigated to passage last Congress, the first time the exchange passed either body of Congress.
Status of the Legislation:
U.S. House of Representatives
February 14, 2013: Reps. Paul Gosar, Ann Kirkpatrick, Matt Salmon, David Schweikert, and Trent Franks introduced H.R.687.
H.R.687 is referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
March 21, 2013: House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing in Washington, DC on H.R.687. READ MORE
May 15, 2013: House Natural Resources Committee advanced H.R.687, by a bipartisan vote, to the full U.S. House of Representatives. READ MORE
July 22, 2013 – House Natural Resources Committee filed the committee report on H.R.687, making the bill eligible for consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives. Click HERE to read the House Natural Resources Committee Report on the bill.
U.S. Senate
February 14, 2013: Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake introduced S.339.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Awaits Committee Action.
Letters of Support
This land exchange has strong bipartisan support across the State of Arizona, and below are letters from town, county, and state representatives in support of the bill (Click to view each).
County Government
Gila County Supervisor Michael Pastor (D) Letter of Support
Gila County Supervisor Tommie Martin (R) Letter of Support
Gila County Supervisor John Marcanti (D) Letter of Support
Gila County Board of Supervisors Resolution of Support
Pinal County Board of Supervisors Resolution of Support
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Resolution of Support
Arizona State Government
Governor Jan Brewer (R) Letter of Support
Senate President Andy Biggs (R) Letter of Support
State Sen Barb McGuire (D) – Letter of Support
State Rep. Frank Pratt (R) Letter of Support
State Rep. TJ Shoppe (R) Proclamation of Support
State Rep. Brenda Barton (R) Letter of Support.
Bicameral Arizona Legislature Letter of Support
Municipal Government
City of Mesa Letter of Support
City of Apache Junction Letter of Support
City of Globe Resolution of Support
Town of Payson Town Council Resolution of Support
Town of Kearny Resolution of Support
Town of Winkelman Resolution of Support
Town of Miami Resolution of Support
Mayor of the Town Payson Kenny J. Evans
Mayor of Globe Terence Wheeler Letter of Support
Superior City Councilman John Tameron Letter of Support
Former Superior Councilman and local business owner Lynn Heglie Letter of Support
Bullhead City Council Member Sam Medrano Letter of Support
Superior City Councilwoman Mila Besich-Lira
Conservation Benefits
Arizona Game and Fish Commission Unanimous Vote of Support
Queen Creek Climbers Association Letter of Support
The Nature Conservency Letter
The Sonoran Institute
Arizona Business Community
Arizona Chamber of Commerce Letter of Support
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Letter of Support
Globe Miami Chamber of Commerce Letter of Support
Valley Partnership Letter of Support
East Valley Partnership Letter of Support
Greater Phoenix Economic Council Letter of Support
Greater Phoenix Leadership Letter of Support
Science Foundation Arizona Letter of Support
WestMarc Letter of Support
Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition Letter of Support
Arizona Rock Products Association Letter of Support
Arizona Mining Association Letter of Support
Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors Letter of Support
Sundt Construction – Letter of Support
Arizona Trucking Association Letter of Support
National Business Community
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
American Supply Association Letter of Support
American Clean Energy Resources Trust Letter of Support
Associated General Contractors of America Letter of Support
Northwest Mining Association
National Mining Association
Other Letters of Support
Central Arizona Governments Regional Council Resolution of Support
Arizona Commerce Authority Letter of Support
Superior Unified School District Letter of Support
Town of Superior Little League Letter of Support
Gila County Democrat Party Resolution of Support
Cobre Valley Democrats Vote of Support
Phoenix Indian Center Letter of Support