John,
Sacred to Western Apache and other Indigenous peoples, Oak Flat is a stunning expanse of wildlands in the high desert of central Arizona. It lies on public lands within the oak-rich Tonto National Forest and is habitat for endangered species like ocelots and Arizona hedgehog cacti.
Right now a critical decision is pending in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to determine whether the Trump administration can move forward with transferring thousands of acres of the Tonto — including Oak Flat — to foreign mining giant Resolution Copper for a massive open-pit copper mine.
Giving these sacred lands to the mining industry would be devastating.
If the court lifts an injunction that's currently keeping Oak Flat safe, the land transfer could happen immediately. The mine would destroy habitat for black bears, mountain lions, ocelots, and other wildlife; obliterate ancient oaks, agaves, and cacti; drain life-giving springs; and create 1.4 billion tons of toxic waste — turning Oak Flat into a 2-mile-wide crater.
There's still hope for this place of beauty and prayer. Congress can stop the land transfer. A new bill in Congress, introduced by Rep. Adelita Grijalva, would repeal the 2014 defense-authorization rider that allows the land-swap giveaway. If it’s passed, the bill could overturn the deal and save Oak Flat — but it needs congressional support.
You can help: Ask your representative to cosponsor the Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act and push for its passage as soon as possible. |
