Land Exchange & Conservation

Land Exchange & Conservation

How the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act protects important conservation priorities throughout Arizona

This law, signed by President Barack Obama, December 19, 2014, will exchange 2,400 acres of federally owned land for 5,300 acres owned by Resolution Copper composed of valuable and highly sought recreational, conservation and cultural land throughout Arizona.

The 5,300 acres of important Arizona lands were selected in consultation with leading national conservation groups, with additional input by local, state and federal officials. These lands will be placed under federal stewardship after a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is issued by the United States Forest Service (USFS).

The package of lands includes:

·  7B Ranch – Pinal County, Arizona – 3,050 acres within the San Pedro ecosystem, encompassing 7 ½ miles along the Lower San Pedro River designated by the Nature Conservancy as one of the “Last Great Places on Earth.” Home to a free-flowing artesian spring-fed wetland populated by lowland leopard frogs, nesting birds, and native fish. This acreage is recognized by BirdLife International as an “Important Bird Area.”

·  Appleton Whittell – Santa Cruz County, Arizona – A 940-acre tract adjacent to a congressionally established conservation area that is home to 200 bird species and 60 species of mammals.

·  Cave Creek – Maricopa County, Arizona – A 149-acre property that houses numerous archaeological sites, including petroglyphs, structure ruins, and grinding sites.

·  East Clear Creek – Coconino County, Arizona – 640 acres encompassing a notable fishery with sustained populations of both rainbow and brown trout; also home to big game such as Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, turkey, and black bear.

·  Dripping Springs – Gila County, Arizona – 160 acres identified by national rock climbers as a significant rock climbing resource.

Improvements to the bill:

·  The USFS must complete a FEIS before exchange of the lands.

·  Resolution Copper will convey 110 acres of company owned land, which will be combined with 697 acres of federal land to create the Apache Leap Special Management Area (SMA). This SMA permanently protects Apache Leap and the legislation requires a management plan be developed with stakeholder input.

·  Resolution Copper must maintain public access to Oak Flat Campground (post FEIS) until it is no longer safe.

·  Increase consultation with affected Native American tribes to find mutually acceptable measures to address concerns.