LEGISLATIVE HISTORY - Southeast Arizona Land Exchange & Conservation Act

Legislative History Overview

Below is a historical record of introduced congressional legislation concerning the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act. Oak Flat land exchange. In 2015, the first Save Oak Flat Act was introduced by Representative Raul Grijalva (AZ) and Senator Bernie Sanders (VT). 

The Save Oak Flat Act has been renewed each year following the land exchange and will be reintroduced in the 117th Congress in 2021. Please urge your congressional leaders to cosponsor and support the Save Oak Flat Act to repeal Section 3003 Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act.

Chronology of the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act

"Members of Congress began introducing legislation concerning Oak Flat in 2005 with the introduction of H.R.2618 and S.1122 (Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2005). Altogether, members of Congress introduced bills proposing the land exchange seven times in the House and six times in the Senate. Only one actually passed its respective house on its own merits—H.R.1904 in 2011 with a 235 to 186 vote." | Citation: Not All Land Exchanges are Created Equal:  A Case Study of the Oak Flat Land Exchange - by Katharine E. Lovett, J.D. Candidate, University of Colorado Law School. 2/23/18 (https://www.colorado.edu/law/sites/default/files/attached-files/lovett-webversion.pdf)

2005 H.R.2618 | S.1122 (Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2005)

2006 H.R.6373 | S.2466 (Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2006)

2007 H.R.3301 | S.1862 (Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2007)

2008 S.3157 (Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2008)

2009 H.R.2509 | S.409 (Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2009)

 
2010 H.R.4880 (Copper Basin Jobs Act)
2011 H.R.1904 (Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011)

2013 H.R.687 | S.339 (Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013)

  • Read BLM Statement regarding HR 687 - Statement of Jamie E. Connell, Acting Deputy Director Bureau of Land Management U.S. Department of the Interior Before the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Energy &  Mineral Resources Legislative Hearing on H.R. 687, Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act March 21, 2013 - The Administration has several concerns with the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act and cannot support H.R. 687 as written.Two of the Administration's principal concerns with the legislation pertain to the timing of NEPA analysis and tribal consultation.

  • Read Hearing Report - Mr. Hastings of Washington, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the following Report together with DISSENTING VIEWS.  H.R. 687 will rob Native People of their heritage, local people of their water and the American people of valuable natural resources, all to benefit two large, foreign-owned mining corporations. This legislation is an abdication of our responsibilities as stewards of the public lands and the public trust and it should be rejected by the House.  ...  Finally, H.R. 687 trades away several sites that are sacred to Native People. The hearing record includes desperate pleas from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Tonto Apache Tribe, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Hualapai Tribe, Jicarilla Apache Nation, Mesca-lero Apache Tribe, the Pueblo of Zuni and other Native Nations to respect their religious and cultural traditions. Instead, the bill waives compliance with NEPA, the Native American Graves Protection Act, and all other statutes that might give Tribes a voice. The final insult comes when the bill requires consultation with Native People—after the land exchange has occurred. 

2014 H.R.3979 (Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015)

H.R.3979 — 113th Congress (2013-2014) Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 Sponsor: Rep. Barletta, Lou [R-PA-11] (Introduced 01/31/2014) Cosponsors: (106) Committees: House - Ways and Means Committee Reports: H. Rept. 113-360 Latest Action: 

Became Public Law No: 113-291 | (PDF)

12/09/2014 | U.S. Department of the Interior, statement by Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015,  “With that said, I am profoundly disappointed with the Resolution Copper provision, which has no regard for lands considered sacred by nearby Indian tribes. The provision short circuits the long-standing and fundamental practice of pursuing meaningful government-to-government consultation with the 566 federally recognized tribes with whom we have a unique legal and trust responsibility."