Last month, the U.S. Forest Service swapped more than 2,400 acres of public lands with Resolution Copper that included an Apache holy site called Oak Flat. Now, the nonprofit Apache Stronghold is challenging that decision.
In response to the Wednesday filing, Resolution Copper told KJZZ courts at every level have consistently ruled in the multinational mining company’s favor, adding “it is time for the meritless litigation to end.”
Becket Fund senior counsel Luke Goodrich disagrees.
“This litigation is far from over. It’s really just getting started,” said Goodrich. “And the Apaches have very strong legal claims that this land transfer is illegal and that it should be undone.”
They’re essentially asking Arizona’s federal district court to undo this congressionally approved land exchange, claiming the U.S. has violated federal laws, like NEPA and NHPA, and even an 1852 treaty.
Goodrich insists there’s even legal precedent to back them up.
“The courts — if they find that transfer is unlawful — can unwind the transfer and require the parties restore the land to its pristine state,” added Goodrich. “And regardless of how the district court rules on this renewed lawsuit, there’s still the opportunity to appeal to the 9th Circuit and even to the Supreme Court again.”
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The House Natural Resources Committee met to review President Donald Trump’s funding proposal for the Interior Department, but Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva took that opportunity to talk about Las Playas Intaglio. -
Lithium is a key metal for electric vehicle batteries and there is a global push to find new sources of it. There is currently only one lithium mine in operation in the United States, but that is about to change — and drastically. -
A mining company is considering digging for copper on grazing land near the chapter house of the Coppermine community on the western Navajo Nation. -
The accident occurred about a half mile east of Highway 160 and state Route 98 near Shonto in Navajo County. This is the first reported incident since hauling along the 300-mile interstate route began nearly two years ago. -
A couple hundred ballots were cast by locals to decide a fitting moniker through a recent online vote. Al Ha’icu Ga:gdam — meaning Little Seeker — and Little Dot, or Al Doṣ, were among their choices.
