Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act

Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act

This bill withdraws Oak Flat (which consists of 2,422 acres of Forest System land in the Tonto National Forest in southeastern Arizona) from mining activity. The bill repeals authorization for Oak Flat to be exchanged for land held by Resolution Copper Mining, LLC.

Bill 118 HR 1351, also known as the Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill aims to protect the Oak Flat area in Arizona from foreign mining interests.

The Oak Flat area is a sacred site for Native American tribes, including the San Carlos Apache Tribe, who have used the land for religious and cultural purposes for generations. The area is also home to unique geological formations and diverse wildlife.

The bill seeks to repeal a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 that authorized a land exchange between the federal government and a foreign mining company. This land exchange would allow the mining company to develop a copper mine in the Oak Flat area, which could have devastating environmental and cultural impacts. If passed, the Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act would prevent the land exchange from taking place and protect the Oak Flat area from foreign mining interests. The bill has received bipartisan support from members of Congress who are concerned about the potential harm to the environment and Native American cultural heritage. Overall, the Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act is an important piece of legislation that aims to protect a sacred site and preserve the natural beauty of the Oak Flat area for future generations.