The final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Resolution Copper and Land Exchange Project analyzes the potential environmental effects from the disposition of National Forest System (NFS) land and development of the proposed Resolution Copper Mine near Superior, Arizona. Under the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. § 539p) Congress mandated that the U.S. Forest Service dispose of certain NFS land by exchange. Congress further specifies that proposed mining operations on land to be conveyed in the exchange are not to be regulated by the Forest Service.
The Forest Service does regulate uses of NFS land outside of the exchange area that will be required to conduct mining operations. This draft record of decision (ROD) documents the Forest Service’s decision to authorize uses of NFS land by issuing special use authorizations for pipeline and powerline corridors, road use permits, and a project-specific Forest Plan Amendment associated with the Resolution Copper Project.