[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO FACILITATE LAND EXCHANGE IN THE STATE OF 
                                ARIZONA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK RENZI

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2005

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, with Congressman Ed Pastor, Congressman Jim 
Kolbe, Congressman J.D. Hayworth, Congressman John Shadegg, Congressman 
Jeff Flake and Congressman Trent Franks, I rise today to introduce 
legislation to facilitate a land exchange in the State of Arizona.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange 
and Conservation Act of 2005, facilitates a land exchange between the 
Resolution Copper Company and the United States in southeast Arizona. 
The exchange will convey 3,025 acres of National Forest land to 
Resolution Copper near the Town of Superior. In return, the United 
States will acquire 4,814 acres of non-federal conservation land.
  The 3,025 acres of Forest Service land to be traded to Resolution 
Copper will facilitate future exploration, and possible development, of 
what may be one of the largest deposits of copper ore discovered in 
North America. Approximately seventy-five percent of the land is 
blanketed by federally-authorized mining claims owned by Resolution 
Copper. This provides Resolution Copper with the right to explore and 
develop mineral deposits on this land.
  Six parcels, totaling 4,814 acres, will be conveyed by Resolution 
Copper to the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. 
The largest of the six parcels is a 3,073 acres ranch, Seven B Ranch, 
near Mammoth, Arizona. The parcel borders a Nature Conservancy preserve 
and runs 6.8 miles along both sides of the San Pedro River, a river 
recognized for its wildlife and bird habitat.

  Another parcel, the Appleton Ranch, inside the Appleton-Whittell 
Research Ranch and Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, is 
intermingled with federal and National Audubon Society lands which are 
managed as an environmental refuge and ecological laboratory.
  Mr. Speaker, the public acquisition of the six parcels will benefit 
the Federal Government and the public. This land exchange has been 
endorsed by the Arizona Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, Sonoran 
Institute, Arizona Game and Fish Department and several other groups. 
In addition, Governor Janet Napolitano wrote a letter supporting the 
exchange.
  In addition to the land exchange, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange 
and Conservation Act of 2005 places a permanent conservation easement 
on the 562 acre Apache Leap portion of the land Resolution Copper will 
acquire from the Forest Service. This easement will permanently protect 
the surface of the Apache Leap area from any disturbance that could 
occur during mining.
  The legislation also requires Resolution Copper to pay up to $500,000 
to finance the design, construction and access to the new campground to 
replace Oak Flat Campground. In addition, the legislation allows 
continued use of the Oak Flat Campground for 2 years after the 
enactment of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I will be remiss if I do not recognize concerns raised 
by the climbing community on their potential loss of recreational use 
caused by this exchange. I am still hopeful that Resolution Copper will 
continue a productive dialogue with the climbing community. I have 
included placeholder language on page 20 of the legislation entitled 
``Additional Rock Climbing Provisions.'' This language represents my 
firm commitment to address this issue before this legislation moves 
forward. The legislation does include language that requires Resolution 
Copper to pay up to $250,000 to access and develop a new climbing area. 
Resolution Copper is in the process of identifying these new climbing 
areas. I am hopeful that Resolution Copper will include the climbing 
groups in this important process.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Southeast Arizona 
Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2005.

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