A group opposed to a massive Arizona copper mining project filed a petition Friday before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. They’re hoping the federal court will reconsider the recent Oak Flat land swap.
A split, three-judge panel from the very same appeals court allowed the controversial transfer to proceed after tossing out a slew of lawsuits — while also lifting an injunction back in March. Then, the land exchange was swiftly executed between the U.S. Forest Service and Resolution Copper.
But plaintiffs — including the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition, Center for Biological Diversity, Earthworks, Access Fund, Sierra Club and Inter Tribal Association of Arizona — now argue they still have a case to be made.
Federal Judge Johnnie Rawlinson agrees.
“And that simply is not the case,” added Rawlinson, “for the appraisal report prepared by the United States Forest Service in this case.”
Last month, the nonprofit Apache Stronghold also submitted its own plea to the lower Arizona federal district court to review the Oak Flat ruling. It’s another legal maneuver, attempting to turn the multinational mining company’s private property into public lands once again.
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A professor at Northern Arizona University teamed up with Navajo communities to test water quality in remote wells. The map is meant to help tribal members still struggling with the effects of past uranium mining. -
Cataloging information from the Confluence may also be used to potentially deter future commercial development by industries like hydropower — while the Trump administration is eyeing energy projects on tribal lands. -
The federal agency’s action — published Tuesday — contends that its decision is intended to “encourage energy production” in the midst of Trump’s self-declared national energy emergency. -
From receiving a coveted James Beard Award to taping an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” with Flavortown restaurateur and TV host Guy Fieri, the Fry Bread House has turned into a beloved local culinary staple over the last three decades. -
Appointed by George W. Bush, Judge Richard Leon in D.C. ruled last week that granting an injunction is “unwarranted” — writing he expects the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will “follow through on its guarantees of consultation.”
