Resolution for a Real Stimulus

By U.S. Senator Jon Kyl On February 11, Senator McCain and I reintroduced the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act (S. 409), culminating several years of negotiation among many parties. I have sponsored this legislation in previous sessions of Congress, but it is very important that this bill pass as soon as possible. Now, more than ever, Arizona needs the kind of economic stimulus that this legislation would create. This land exchange would facilitate access to one of the largest copper deposits ever found in the United States and could meet more than 20 percent of U.S. copper demand in the future. Under the bill, Resolution Copper Mining would convey 5,566 acres of land it owns to the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in exchange for 2,406 acres of land owned by the federal government. Resolution would use that land for future exploration of copper ore. The mining facilitated by the proposed land exchange could create more than 1,000 jobs at its peak, and the mine could contribute $800 million annually to Arizonas economy, in addition to returning more than $8 billion to the federal treasury over the life of the mine. State and local support for the mine is overwhelmingly positive--in a recent poll, 84 percent of Arizonans approved of its development--with job creation and economic revival cited as the two most important reasons for this support. In addition to the economic benefits, this exchange would protect several thousand acres of environmentally sensitive land in our state (the land acquired by the government in one trade). Those areas are important for wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and watershed and land-management objectives. It would also promote outdoor recreation and tourism by bringing these lands into public ownership. Importantly, the exchange requires that all environmental reviews be fully completed before the copper mine begins to operate. This years bill has two important modifications that distinguish it from previous versions. First, Resolution Copper has agreed to add an additional 110 acres of privately owned land adjacent to the federally owned 822 acres of Apache Leap. These combined lands will be placed under the control of the Forest Service, ensuring federal protection in perpetuity. Second, the legislation will allow the Apache tribes to continue traditional acorn gathering at the Oak Flat campground and on additional private lands that would be transferred for this purpose. With all the discussions about economic stimulus in our country, this land exchange would truly create jobs and benefit Arizona and the nation--and protect the environment at the same time. The Senate has held multiple hearings on this exchange in the past, and each time the legislation has received more support from stakeholders. It is good for our environment. It brings economic, recreation, and employment opportunities to state and local residents. And, it generates revenue that can be used to pay down federal and state debt. Finally, it takes advantage of an important American mineral resource. I am hopeful this bill will win passage this year, and I will report on its progress. U.S. Senator Jon Kyl is the Assistant Republican Leader and serves on the Senate Finance and Judiciary committees. Visit his website at www.kyl.senate.gov.