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| Ola Cassadore Davis |
By Brenda Norrell
Photo: Ola Cassadore Davis spent her life defending Apache sacred lands. Photo by Sandra Rambler.
The US House's Natural Resources Committee plans extensive seizures of lands and resources to benefit private corporations and the US military.
First on the list of this US House of Snakes is a land exchange opposed by San Carlos Apaches, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013.
The Arizona Congressional delegation is pushing for the destruction of sacred land for copper mining.
"It is outrageous that members of our Arizona Congressional delegation support a land swap that benefits a foreign mega-mining giant over what's best for Arizona," said Terry Rambler, Chairman, San Carlos Apache Tribe. "Resolution Copper Mining (RCM), owned by Rio Tinto which does business with Iran, wants to blast a 7,000 foot deep, massive block-cave mine into sacred land in the Tonto National Forest. This land was set aside in 1955 by President Eisenhower for its religious, cultural, traditional, recreational and archaeological significance.
"It is outrageous that members of our Arizona Congressional delegation support a land swap that benefits a foreign mega-mining giant over what's best for Arizona," said Terry Rambler, Chairman, San Carlos Apache Tribe. "Resolution Copper Mining (RCM), owned by Rio Tinto which does business with Iran, wants to blast a 7,000 foot deep, massive block-cave mine into sacred land in the Tonto National Forest. This land was set aside in 1955 by President Eisenhower for its religious, cultural, traditional, recreational and archaeological significance.
"We,
along with many tribes, and recreational and environmental
organizations, have opposed this land swap and the mine for more than
seven years. Arizona
cannot afford this deal. The mine would be an environmental disaster on
an unprecedented scale and the job claims made by the copper company
are unsubstantiated. As Apaches, we will continue to fight to preserve
this land for all Arizonans." (Read more of the statement: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coalition-opposes-new-southeast-arizona-land-exchange-and-conservation-act-of-2013-191851911.html )
