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**QUEEN CREEK CLIMBING - OAK FLAT** Last Chance to save it

Original Post
kirra2 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2016 · Points: 0
Today is the LAST MEETING as formally announced by the Forest Service for part of the scoping process required by NEPA - EIS study for Queen Creek/Oak Flat area. This 'open house' will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a presentation at 5:30 followed by a brief question and answer period.

Southwest Regional Library, 775 North Greenfield Road, Gilbert, AZ

resolutionmineeis.us/scopin…

There are also several other helpful & informative links on bottom of this page such as: Scoping Handout and Overview - Scoping Letter - A Citizen's Guide to NEPA: Having Your Voice Heard

You can also sign up to keep informed via mail-list link on left side of page.

If you miss the meetings and still want to be a part of this process PLEASE address your letters and concerns in a formal manner to the Forest Service (F.S.) details for submission are here: resolutionmineeis.us/comments
*Please note, valid arguments will go farther than: "I love QC" (unfortunately this is not recognized as a valid argument by F.S.)

As of April 4, 2016 the Tonto Forest Supervisor has extended the Public Scoping Period for an additional 60 days.
The last day to submit comments will be July 18, 2016.

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*personal note~ I have not posted here since Dec. 2014 when our beloved climbing area was hidden in the NDAA Bill and passed (*sniff*) Since then REI has partnered with MP.com & I do not agree with new "privacy policy". To protect rights grandfathered of prior submissions, I have chosen to post as kirra2 for this URGENT MATTER for QUEEN CREEK. I wish MP.com continued success in all endeavors.
DesertRat · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 196

Save Oak Flat!!

Ben Watson · · Tempe, AZ · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 45

Some of the takeaways I jotted down from last night's meeting in Gilbert...

  • NFS is aware of the controversy regarding the legislation set forth by the NDAA of 2015, section 3003: "Southeast Arizona land exchange and conservation."
  • NFS cannot stop the transfer of the Oak Flat parcel from happening - it is now law, signed by our Congress and our President.
  • NFS can guide the mining plan of operation through mitigation of concerns, by identifying alternatives.
  • Tonto National Forest Supervisor, Neil Bosworth, is ultimately in charge of making the final decision regarding whether the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) addresses all concerns
  • Regarding mining in particular -- he will not be able to stop the mine from operating
  • Conveyance of Oak Flat parcel into private ownership by Resolution Copper will occur 60 days after EIS is complete
  • Timeline for EIS is estimated to be at least ~5 years
  • NFS "mitigation" of existing petroglyph sites will be to document / photograph, but will ultimately be destroyed by subsidence crater
  • Only way of stopping the conveyance of Oak Flat to the mine will be to repeal the legislation.
  • Currently there are "Save Oak Flat Act" bills in both houses of Congress: House H.R.2811 , Senate S. 2242
  • To be considered by NFS, public comments should be factual, cite specific examples or resource issues and steer away from personal opinion

Regarding public comments during the NEPA process, one subtle comment was mentioned:
  • During the objection process, when the EIS is issued and Neil Bosworth's decision is made, the only people that may formally object to Neil's decision are people who have formally submitted written comments during the commenting period.
I can't seem to find any information on this "objection" process and if that bears any significance since the EIS decision will already be made.

These were just a few of many comments mentioned. The NFS said they would be uploading slides from these scoping meetings and a list of initial comments brought up by the public.

PLEASE submit comments! resolutionmineeis.us/comments
PLEASE write your Congress reps, especially people out of state whose representatives / senators will ultimately be voting for or against the "Save Oak Flat" bills!

If I missed anything or misspoke, please correct as necessary.
Thanks,
Ben
kirra2 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2016 · Points: 0
Ben Watson wrote:NFS cannot stop the transfer of the Oak Flat parcel from happening - it is now law, signed by our Congress and our President. * NFS can guide the mining plan of operation through mitigation of concerns, by identifying alternatives.
Hi Ben- It's great you were able to attend meeting last night and your comments are helpful especially pointing to links of legislation in House & Senate to reverse this mistaken give-away. (btw your link as posted for FS comments = the one I posted) Forever the optimist, I'd like to discuss the items you mentioned above and reference an article recently written with comments from Curt Shannon and Sandy Bahr from the Sierra Club:

Environmental Study of Planned Copper Mine at Arizona's Oak Flat Could Halt Project

"Usually, the EIS process would allow the government to evaluate a project like this, then reject it based on the findings if the impact is too severe. But under the 2014 land-swap law, Rio Tinto gets title to land two months after the EIS is complete, whatever the EIS finds."

"Since this area is now on the National Register of Historic Places, the EIS will also study how, or if, mining activity would damage the place's historical significance."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The mine may own Oak Flat, but may not be allowed to proceed to the scale as proposed. Perhaps Forest Service can say, we can't stop you from mining but if your tailings site is not acceptable, you'll need to come up with a different plan. The only plan available may seem unfeasible for the mine to operate and then oh well...climb on!

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kirra2 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2016 · Points: 0
Ben Watson wrote:"Save Oak Flat Act" bills in both houses of Congress: House H.R.2811 , Senate S. 2242
a note on Save Oak Flat bills... Success may depend upon the upcoming elections and Bernie Sanders introduced the Senate Bill -go Bernie! (:
kirra2 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2016 · Points: 0

From Az Mining Reform (thanks Roger) - Oak Flat Preliminary Scoping Talking Points

Here is a simple NEPA slideshow that outlines specific talking point directives concerning:

* Clean Air & Water Acts
* Endangered Species Act
* National Historic Preservation Act
* Executive Order on Environmental Justice

NEPA SLIDE PRESENTATION FOR OAK FLAT

RCM is required to abide by NEPA and mining is restricted until permit is approved by USDA/Forest Service -
Mining Permit requires NEPA

Reasonable arguments for submissions could include questions such as "How will the mining plan address or compensate for the loss of _______ which as stated in the ___ Act on such & such Pg/Article/subsection etc. The Forest Service will then be required to review the entire mining plan and respond to your specific questions and concerns.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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