One of Arizona’s five C’s are endangered
Progressive congressman Raul Grijalva, who called for a boycott of his own state which crippled the tourism industry, is now attempting to remove one of Arizona’s Cs. Every kid, who has attended public school in Arizona, knows that the five Cs which drive Arizona’s economy are copper, cattle, cotton, citrus and climate.
On Thursday, Grijalva introduced six bills focused on “modifying” protections for certain public lands across Southern Arizona, according to the congressman. Separately from Thursday’s package, Grijalva introduced the “Southern Arizona Public Lands Protection Act” last week to withdraw certain public lands in Pima and Santa Cruz counties from new mining claims.
Grijalva is taking direct aim at the Resolution Copper mine. Reps. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) recently introduced the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act (HR 687), which would create valuable mining jobs.
Grijalva celebrated the ruling by U.S. District Judge David Campbell this week, denying a uranium industry motion to overturn the Obama administration’s ban on new uranium mining claims on 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon.
“My bills, today’s hearing, and yesterday’s ruling are all about the same issue: how we choose to handle our valuable natural heritage,” Grijalva said. “We’re working to preserve the greater economic and ecological benefits these lands provide Arizonans when they’re protected for the future.”
A list of Grijalva’s bills:
Public Lands Service Corps Act:
The Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2013 increases the priority of service in the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. The Public Land Service Corps Act of 2013 provides the Departments with the authority to expand the program.
The bill is supported National Parks Conservation Association, the Sierra Club, the National Education Association and the Public Lands Service Coalition, which includes the Southwest Conservation Corps.
Grand Canyon Watershed Protection Act:
The Grand Canyon Watershed Protection Act of 2013 was updated to reflect exactly the land withdrawn by last year’s Executive Order. Adoption of the bill would make the withdrawal permanent. The bill was introduced with 16 original cosponsors.
Lower Colorado River Protection Act:
The Lower Colorado River Protection Act of 2013 creates a plan and environmental research program on the River.
The bill also creates an EPA program which will be based in the EPA’s Region 9 office.
Great Bend of the Gila National Monument Establishment Act:
This bill enhances protection for a stretch of BLM land that contains cultural and archaeological resources.