Oak Flat: "Biden Admin Hits Pause On Ariz. Copper Mine"

"The Biden administration has paused finalizing an environmental impact statement for a controversial copper mine in Arizona in order to meet with opposing tribes and review the Forest Service’s consultation.

Joan Pepin, a Department of Justice attorney representing the Forest Service, told a federal appeals court that while she originally said in March that an EIS for the Resolution Copper mine would be produced “this spring,” the agency now doesn’t have a firm timeline.

Pepin’s original comment before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was significant because issuance of the EIS would trigger the advancement of a congressionally approved land swap in Arizona. That swap would pave the way for the Resolution Copper project, eventually resulting in the destruction of an Apache holy site."

Hannah Northey reports for E&E News May 22, 2023.

Source: E&E News, 05/23/2023