Napolitano: ‘Special areas’ need protection from mining

Gov. Janet Napolitano has written a letter to U.S. Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., saying she supports their legislation to withdraw Coronado National Forest lands in Pima and Santa Cruz counties from future mining.

HR 4228, the Southern Arizona Public Lands Protection Act of 2007, was introduced in November by Grijalva, who hopes to have a first public hearing by the full House Natural Resources Committee this spring. The bill was motivated by concerns over the Augusta Resource Rosemont Mine. But it also addresses potential future mining over a much larger area of concern identified by the Pima and Santa Cruz boards of supervisors. All Coronado lands and some other public lands are included.

“While mining will always be a vital part of Arizona’s economy, there are certain places where mining is simply not appropriate, such as the lands identified in HR 4228,” Napolitano wrote. “We recognize the importance of healthy watersheds, wildlife habitat, and recreation for our communities. There is no longer a need to incentivize the development of the West; we are the fastest growing area in the country.”

Napolitano stressed the need for overall reform of the 1872 Mining Act, adding, “In the meantime, we need to protect areas where mining should never occur, such as those identified in the Act. I am hopeful Congress will recognize the importance of moving this bill quickly to protect these special areas in Southern Arizona.”

Existing mining claims that have “valid” mineral discoveries would be exempted from HR 4228. However, the US Forest Service and in some cases, Bureau of Land Management would carry out an in-depth examination of the economic validity of the claims where mining exploration, mining, or processing of minerals is proposed on public lands that are not currently being actively mined.

This would be the case for the proposed Rosemont mine if it is not fully approved and operating before the legislation passes.

Dick Kamp is Wick Communications environmental liaison. Contact him by e-mail at bepdick@att.net.