FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2012
Mining Can Stimulate Economy without Jeopardizing Natural Beauty of the Grand Canyon
Mesa, Arizona – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today condemned the Obama Administration’s decision to implement a 20-year ban on new mining claims on 1 million acres of federal land outside of Grand Canyon National park in an area known as the Arizona Strip.
In 2009, Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar halted new mining claims for two years. In extending the ban on new claims for another six months in July of 2011, the Secretary announced that the preferred alternative is to implement a 20-year withdrawal.
“Uranium mining in northern Arizona occurs well outside Grand Canyon National Park and poses no threat to the Grand Canyon or the tourism industry in northern Arizona. This withdrawal is simply another example of the Obama Administration’s overreach that will stymie local economic growth and local job creation,” said Flake. “The Grand Canyon is a treasure, so if I believed that uranium mining in parts of northern Arizona posed a threat to the Canyon, I would not support it.”
Congressman Flake has worked to prevent this withdrawal from being put in place. In July of 2011, he added language to the House Interior Appropriations bill that prevents the Interior Department from moving ahead with a withdrawal plan. Congressman Flake’s language wasn’t included in a final FY2012 spending bill. In October of 2011, along with Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02), Congressman Flake introduced in the House the Northern Arizona Mining Continuity Act, which would prohibit the Department of the Interior from implementing the withdrawal. Senators John McCain (R,-AZ) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) introduced the legislation in the Senate.
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H.R. 1904: Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-1904
Freshman Gosar was handed this to sponser – it’s said that Kirkpatrick lost her seat because she supported it. And the republicans say it will create jobs, yea right, maybe in ten years when the mine is scheduled to open and its said that it will be operated remotely like off shore with new tunnel technology. What jobs? Where will the profit go, home office – where is that?
Too funny, no mention or link to the bill: H.R.1904 Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 (Engrossed in House [Passed House] – EH).
How did the Federal Government get the land to swap with Resolution Copper Company? How did Resolution Copper Company come upon the 8 parcels of land the Federal Government is willing to accept in trade?
Only 4 dems voted for it, no repubs voted against it.
Why doesn’t the copper belong to the State of Arizona, are we a bastard stepchild living off of crumbs the Federal Government allows us to have? Tenth Amendment anyone, besides we have I-40 and I-10 used by truckers in the winter months.
What’s the difference between an ACT and a LAW?
Anybody know the difference between a traveler using a car and a operator using a car, or truck etc.?
Why is a foreign mining company being favored over a local Arizona based international company? Wouldn’t more MONEY stay in Arizona with a home grown company on home turf?
Why couldn’t Arizona State set up a government deal like the Salt River Project to take advantage of one of the 5 C’s that made this state: Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus and Climate? In the SRP link towards the bottom it gives a brief history of Phelps Dodge role with SRP’s early growth.
So why couldn’t Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) aka Phelps Dodge enter into a joint venture with the State of Arizona with investment capital coming from the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) buying FCX stock to seed the venture – screw DC.
As a Native Arizonian and state employee, I would be willing to allow our State Legislatures to craft laws to allow ASRS to invest in FCX for the purpose of. Arizona wins in all ways by keeping the money local like doing business with Credit Unions rather than the banksters.
Arizona State Employees rescue the State of Arizona from financial …
http://phoenixteaparty.ning.com/profiles/blogs/arizona-state-employees-rescue
JUST THINKING OUT LOUD and LONG TERM for our kids and grandkids.
FOOTBALL, COMPETITION AND THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE
http://phoenixteaparty.ning.com/profiles/blogs/football-competition-and-the
STATES RIGHTS ANYONE – funny .