The U.S. Supreme Court will not reconsider the nonprofit Apache Stronghold’s effort to preserve sacred lands from a massive copper mining project east of Phoenix after the justices declined to revisit an earlier decision to throw out its case for a second and final time on Monday.
Court records show conservative Neil Gorsuch, who has taken keen interest in federal Indian law, stands alone in supporting the nonprofit’s plea. Justice Clarence Thomas previously joined him in co-authoring a May dissent.
Recusing himself once more was Samuel Alito, who has disclosed stock holdings in BHP, the Australian-based minority partner behind Resolution Copper alongside UK-headquartered Rio Tinto.
In a statement, Resolution Copper told KJZZ the multinational mining company is “pleased” the court upheld a split 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that a parcel of public land – known as Oak Flat within the Tonto National Forest – is not subject to religious freedom protections.
While on social media, Apache Stronghold posted it’s “deeply disappointing” that Mother Earth’s voice goes unheard yet again, adding the “fight to protect Oak Flat is far from over” since three more lawsuits are still pending in the 9th Circuit with oral arguments set to begin at the start of next year.
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The official designation comes at a pivotal time when sustained drought threatens this precious natural resource — CRIT considers “a living entity” — running parallel to the nearly 300,000-acre reservation along the California border. -
Beyond the bickering Upper and Lower Basin states, there are 30 federally recognized tribes stuck in the middle of a decades-old debate on how best to divvy the water while keeping the ever-dwindling river flowing. -
Without reliable internet, it’s tough for veterans to apply for and access financial and health benefits, including mental care. But a Phoenix-based company and an Arizona state agency are partnering to help better equip those living on tribal lands. -
The Pentagon pointed KJZZ to Truth Social — adding nothing more at this time — when asked for more information about Trump’s post he made while overseas moments before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. -
With only a dozen or so stores scattered throughout the Navajo Nation, buying groceries is already a daily struggle. But letting benefits lapse could make their dilemma much worse.
