The decision follows a court ruling and congressional mandate, allowing transfer for a proposed underground mine near Superior.
The U.S. Forest Service finalized the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and issued a record of decision enabling the Resolution Copper Project to proceed after a federal appeals court declined to stop the transfer. The action follows a ruling by the Ninth Circuit that determined the agency’s environmental review met requirements, allowing the land exchange authorized by Congress in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act to move forward.
“Completing this land exchange unlocks a major domestic source of copper, essential for defense, grid modernization, and next-generation energy, and positions the nation to secure its future by expanding mineral production and unleashing America’s full resource potential,” said USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.
The project involves transferring federal land in the Tonto National Forest for the development of an underground copper mine near Superior, Arizona, with related permits approved for supporting infrastructure such as a pipeline and powerline.
The Forest Service stated the decision followed required environmental and appraisal procedures, while the project’s documentation was released publicly alongside the final environmental impact statement and record of decision. Estimates associated with the proposal project roughly 1,400–1,500 jobs, about $149 million in annual wages, and tens of millions in state, local, and federal tax revenue each year.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Rollins as she oversees the Department of Agriculture and its many agencies.
- For USDA and Forest Service officials overseeing the land exchange to act with fairness toward communities, workers, and affected land users.
- For federal officials as they seek to balance natural resource development, environmental stewardship, and long-term public interests.
Sources: Department of Agriculture
