Nearly a week from now, the U.S. Forest Service is planning to release the final environmental impact statement for Resolution Copper’s proposed mining project east of the Valley.
Once published, that’ll start a legal process to transfer Oak Flat within 60 days.
Now that a controversial land swap to deliver what some consider an Apache holy site into the hands of the multinational mining company is imminent, the town of Superior and nearby mining communities are getting ready to meet that moment.
While opponents – like the San Carlos Apache Tribe and nonprofit Apache Stronghold – claim things are moving too quickly, the Superior Community Working Group has met to address possible mitigations and benefits each quarter for the last seven years.
Now, they may meet monthly, believing this behemoth project is a “very real” possibility.
“This is the first time that we’ve had a meeting in 14 years where it’s beginning to look like this may be a viable project,” said John Godec, who facilitates the all-volunteer group made up of residents from Miami, Globe, Kearny, Top-of-the-World, Winkelmann and Superior. “Up until this point, it’s been pretty speculative, right?”
A sleuth of recent federal court decisions – most notably a denial by the U.S. Supreme Court to consider Apache Stronghold’s religious freedom case – has since tipped the probability of the copper mine proceeding in its supporters’ favor, especially for the neighboring town of Superior, which stands to benefit most.
“We’re very excited about what’s happening. We’re relieved with the court taking this time to make the decision,” said Superior Mayor Mila Besich, adding that now they need to continue being “well-studied and well-prepared as leaders in our region” for all the work ahead.
This working group is responsible for implementing more than a dozen mitigation measures agreed upon by Resolution Copper.
Some efforts include setting up a tribal trust fund earmarked for cultural heritage, employment and education, as well as an ongoing restoration project for Emory Oak trees and their acorns, part of traditional Apache diets – while others focus on preserving creeks, streams and rivers, in addition to building new multi-use trails, recreational climbing and bouldering opportunities.
In all, Superior Town Manager Todd Pryor explained, there’s $30 million set aside. Now, the working group is tasked with establishing five different endowments to be fiducially responsible for the committed funds deposited by the company.
“There’s lots of money, there’s going to be a lot of interest from outside agencies to access and get a piece of that money,” Pryor said. “So we, as a community, have to make sure that money doesn’t go to consultants and endless reports, and everything else is tied to our priorities and our projects.”
Some of these projects have more concrete timelines, like construction for the Castleberry Campground meant to offset the eventual loss of the nearly 50-acre Oak Flat Campground within the Tonto National Forest.
It’s also where some Apaches have been going for generations to participate in sunrise dances and coming-of-age ceremonies. This public land will soon turn into private property, then ultimately be engulfed by subsidence, which is expected to begin during the sixth year of mining.
That’ll eventually result in a nearly 2-mile-wide crater about 1,000 feet deep.
The new campground, in particular, must be funded within an 18-month period after the U.S. issues its record of decision – a document prepared once the environmental review process stemming from the final environmental impact statement is completed.
“Someone said, ‘Oh, well, we’re never going to build that until after Oak Flat subsided,’ and we’re like, ‘Oh, no, that’s not acceptable. Not OK, not OK,’” said Besich. “And that’s where we put in the firmer timeline. So we appreciate that you’re ready to go, because we need that campground.”
Resolution Copper has spent more than $2 billion – and stands to reap close to $200 billion – from a 1.4 billion metric ton ore body beneath Oak Flat. The company’s president Vicky Peacey spoke via Zoom with attendees at the town’s Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night in downtown Superior.
“Thanks for everybody hanging in for such a long period of time,” said Peacey. “It’s nice that we, it feels like we can start to really talk about these things, and it’s going to be fun. It will be, it will be.”
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