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ARF- 3723

Regular Agenda Item 2. F.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	05/03/2016
Submitted For:	Jacque Sanders
Submitted By:	Jacque Sanders, Asst. County Manager/Librarian
Department:	Deputy County Mgr/Library District

Information

Request/Subject

Provide scoping comments to the Tonto National Forest on a Notice of Intent for the Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange to help in determining the scope of the environmental analysis.

Background Information

The Tonto National Forest has opened a comment period regarding a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange. The EIS will analyze the environmental effects of: 1) a mining proposal submitted to the Tonto National Forest by Resolution Copper Mining, LLC (Resolution) ; 2) the exchange of 2,422 acres of federal land near Oak Flat for 5,344 acres of privately held land elsewhere in Arizona; and 3) any necessary amendments to the Tonto National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.

The Tonto National Forest is seeking comments from the public to help in determining the scope of the environmental analysis. The 60 day scoping comment period will last from March 18 to May 17, 2016.

Evaluation

Resolution Copper has spent the past ten years and several million dollars developing plans to access the additional copper ore body that was discovered in 1996. The economic benefit to the local area as well as to Arizona will continue for at least another 50 years. The next phases of environmental studies, construction, operation and reclamation will create an estimated economic benefit of $20 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue, more than $14 billion in wages, and a total economic impact of more than $61 billion over its 60-year lifespan.

Conclusion

Resolution Copper will have an economic benefit to Gila County, and as such, Gila County has a special interest in this proposal. Providing comments to this scoping phase of the Environmental Impact Statement will be considered part of the public record of this analysis by the Tonto Forest as it moves forward in this project, and will ensure that Gila County is kept informed as the process continues.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors issue official comments on the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to consider issuing official comments from the Board of Supervisors to the Tonto National Forest regarding the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange. (Jacque Sanders)

Attachments
Scoping comments Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange