Obama Administration Leaning Against Copper Mine In AZ National Forest - McCain Cries, Stomps Feet

[hatrack]

EDIT

Forest Service Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop told the Senate Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee that the administration has serious concerns about S. 409, a proposed land swap which would allow Resolution Copper to build a mine on a piece of Arizona's Tonto National Forest in exchange for private lands. He said the administration had not finalized its opinion on the bill but would do so within weeks. While speaking on behalf of the Bush administration, Holtrop had twice expressed support for the exchange with only minor concerns.

The switch outraged Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), as did the call for more delays. "I've been around long enough to know how this works," he said. "They know that if they delay long enough, will walk away. The people of Arizona, the country and the world will suffer." He noted Resolution Copper -- which is owned by subsidiaries of mining giants Rio Tinto PLC and BHP-Billiton PLC -- has already spent more than $400 million studying the land and that its investors would not tolerate such expenditures without results indefinitely.

Ed. - Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Without the administration's support, McCain said, passing the bill would by "virtually impossible."

The land exchange has been controversial since it was first promoted in the 109th Congress. Supporters say the private land offered in exchange is critical to protecting local ecology and history, while critics say Resolution is using low-value lands to buy an exemption from environmental reviews on areas that should remained protected as a national forest.

EDIT

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/06/18/18greenwire-obama-admin-mccain-spar-over-ariz-copper-mine-72687.html

[phantom power]

1. One of the most remarkable things I've ever seen in AZ...

is the Ray Copper mine. It's an open-pit mine. Goes on for miles, and looks like Mordor's foreclosure district.

Maybe putting one of those in a national park isn't such a good idea.

[Raster]

2. Or the infamous open pit mine at Morenci. I grew up in Safford, just down the hill.

Now Freeport McMoran wants to *level* the Gila Mountains north of Safford to put in another gargantuan open pit mine.

While copper mines contribute to the Arizona economy, the damage they do to the environment is downright disgusting.

[havocmom]

3. And copper mining companies are notorious for lay-offs and actions against unions

As soon as the price of copper drops, so drops employment. When unions want better treatment, mines have a history of bringing in hired thugs to bust heads. As I recall, Morenci area mines saw some murder along with the beatings.

The damage the mines do is one thing. The damage the companies do to the work force is also bad news. Used then abused is not what workers' futures can be built upon. Contaminated soils and waters are not great for worker's kids.

[Raster]

4. You ain't kidding. Morenci is now at half staffing. The damage to the southeastern Arizona economy

is *PROFOUND*. In previous years when Phelps Dodge owned the mine, they continued operations during the lean times. Not so with Freeport McMoran. The towns around Morenci--Safford, Pima, Thatcher, Clifton--are dying slow, unfortunate deaths. FOR SALE signs litter every neighborhood. The unemployment rate is severe.

[izquierdista]

6. History?

It's best told by watching a movie: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7334797883480289161

[GliderGuider]

8. Copper-mine strikebreaking has a long history.

The 1913 Massacre in Calumet Michigan was immortalized by Woodie Guthrie (lyrics from another DU post).

[XemaSab]

5. Going to Morenci

was a real shock.

We knew we were coming up to something at the top of the hill, but not THAT.

[Raster]

7. At one time--mid '80s--it was the largest open pit mine in the world.

I had already moved away--grew up in Safford--and came back for a holiday visit. My buddy and I had decided to take a drive up to Morenci. We came to one of the overlooks into the mine just off of the highway. We saw a group of about 10 people intently looking into the pit area. Turns out they were relatives of some of the Morenci blast crew, and were scheduled to do some blasting that very day. We hung out for about 30 mins, and then watched them blast. Even though we were quite far away, the blast was impressive. Part of the wall of the far side of the pit just exploded and then crumbled. Then these tiny little dumptrucks and loaders moved in. The "tiny little dumptrucks" by the way, were approximately three stories tall.

When I was a kid, they still used to smelt copper up in Morenci. When the wind was just right, the smell of sulfer permeated down into the Gila Valley below. Good times.

[Raster]

9. This is soooooo wrong, in so many ways. The Tonto National Forest is a sensitive environment.

Fuckers.