Raúl Grijalva

Oral statement on H.R. 687

I like the NEPA process, I like consultation, government-to-government, because I don't try to tell you what to do and what you need.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And an inventory and a list of all the Native Nations and tribal governments that are in opposition of the legislation.

Proponents of the legislation say, 'We are going to leave the surface alone, so what is the problem?' And would you please tell them what the problem is going to be down the road, not only in terms of a sacred site, but in terms of the…

Thank you, Ms. Peralta. I also wanted to ask you. There was a, you know, we get into the discussion, and I appreciate the Supervisor's point that Resolution has not only raised the reading scores in the area but is prepared to spend $16…

Conflict because of what?

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

H.R. 687 provides no protections to avoid the land from collapsing.

There is no question that Apache sacred areas are in jeopardy as a consequence of the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013.

Losing access to these ecosystems, both by their closure [to Apache People] or their destruction profoundly weakens the strength to both Apache and Indigenous peoples' prayer and ceremony.

The mining project proposed by Resolution Copper will destroy the Oak Flat area.

The decision to trade Federal land, forest land, particularly land that was set aside during the Eisenhower Administration, and withdraw it from mining--to a mining company, a foreign-owned mining company, is likely to impact the human…

This bill, I think, plainly waives NEPA with regard to the land exchange.

Resolution Copper's mining operation is going to require 20,000 acre-feet per year.

The public interest requires a complete and full informed appraisal, equalization of values be performed prior to a congressional passage of this bill, not after.

I hope we get compassion as one of the C's down the road.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One of the things that Rio Tinto touts, Ms. Krill, part of the panel was about employment.

As you generate precious metals, copper, gold, and I think, I don't know who stated that those are for use and for the industries as they grow here in that country, what is a ratio of export versus keeping the product domestic?

This is about how you say yes, not just no.

The public has this opportunity to comment on and to participate in a process about what we do with public minerals.

Thank you very much.

I support requiring government-to-government tribal consultations prior to the land exchange.

We are not Wal-Mart greeters for Rio Tinto or its subsidiary. We are not facilitators or brokers.

Native Americans, and you are going to hear from them today, we have the Chairman and the President of the Hopi and Navajo Nation, as well as the Chairman of the All-Indian Pueblo Council, representing 20 pueblos in New Mexico and Texas…

This legislation, quite frankly, Mr. Chairman, is a deception.