Tonto National Forest

These informational posters were displayed during public meetings that occurred during the formal scoping period.

On March 18, 2016, the Notice of Intent was published in the Federal Register, initiating the scoping process for the Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange EIS.  The Tonto National Forest Supervisor, Neil Bosworth, issued this scoping letter, inviting public participation in the scoping process.

These questions were asked and answered during the public meetings held in Queen Valley, Superior, Globe, Gilbert, and San Tan, Arizona from March - June 2016. 180 total questions and answers are recorded here in 5 categories: NEPA process, impact analysis, land exchange, mine proprosal, and general.

Public open house meetings will be held as follows. Each meeting will take place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.; a presentation will take place at 5:30, followed by a brief question and answer period.

Publication of the NOI in the Federal Register on March 18, 2016 represents the official start of the process to prepare an EIS, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act, for approval of a plan of operations for the Resolution Copper Project and associated land exchange.

Maps of Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 including Federal Parcel, Oak Flat, Apache Leap, Cave Creek, East Clear Creek, Tangle Creek, Turkey Creek, Lower San Pedro River, Dripping Springs, Appleton Ranch, Superior Airport, and Fairview Cemetery.

The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act authorizes and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into a land exchange with Resolution Copper Mining, LLC.

Notice is hereby given that the Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of Interior are evaluating the exchange of land with Resolution Copper Mining LLC, as directed by the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act.

On February 13, 2015, Resolution Copper submitted a formal request to the Forest Service indicating their desire to convey the specified non-federal land to the United States. Details of the land exchange are contained in the Land Exchange Proposal dated August 2015, as well as this draft Agreement to Initiate that will be executed between Resolution Copper and the Forest Service.

Resolution Copper submitted the General Plan of Operations to the Forest Service in November 2013. After review and subsequent modifications, the Forest Supervisor issued a completeness review letter in December 2014. The Forest Supervisor determined that the Plan is complete in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and policy.

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Media Point of Contact

Susan Blake
susan.blake@usda.gov

Apache Leap Special Management Area
Apache Leap SMA website