PHOENIX — Arizona’s elected officials are reacting as one would expect to the news that the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to rescind critical federal documents needed to move forward with the Resolution Copper Project.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture directed the U.S. Forest Service to revoke the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision.
The mine, planned for an area near Superior, Arizona was expected to create about 1,450 jobs and generate about $149 million annually in total employee compensation.
While Arizona Governor Doug Ducey expressed “disappointment” with the decision, Congressman Raul Grijalva celebrated it.
“I am extremely disappointed in the Administration’s decision to cease progress on Arizona’s Resolution Copper project, which is set to grow jobs and is estimated to create a direct and indirect economic impact of more than $1 billion to Arizona’s economy every year,” said Ducey.
“An effective and predictable regulatory environment is a critical factor in Arizona’s booming economy. In Arizona, we follow what works. Undoing lengthy, comprehensive, and already-completed federal environmental studies on a whim with the changing of federal administrations doesn’t work,” continued Ducey. “This type of activity threatens an untold number of major projects in Arizona and around the country. I am calling on the USDA to reissue these crucial documents in a timely manner and continue progress on this job-creating project.”
Oak Flat is a sacred site, and I’m pleased the Biden Administration is putting #PeopleOverPolluters.
I will soon introduce my #SaveOakFlat Act to protect this site once and for all. #HonorTheSacred https://t.co/MbaFyECO2V
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) March 1, 2021