Oak Flat Acres – 2,422
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Location – Pinal County, east of Superior Oak Flat Acres – 2,422 The Oak Flat parcel and surrounding lands include approximately 2,422 acres of Tonto National Forest lands intermingled with private lands owned by Resolution Copper. Unpatented mining claims staked as early as 1917 cover this suitable nesting place for birds of prey, and bats may inhabit parcel except for 760 acres that were withdrawn from mineral some of the historic mine shafts existing in the area. Protection entry through executive order during the Eisenhower of these important features is part of the planning process for Administration. These 2,422 acres of federal land, which include the Resolution Copper mine. Specific language in the bill calls the withdrawal area, would be traded to Resolution Copper in the for a management plan and significant limitations on surface land exchange for more than 5,000 acres of high-value uses within the easement area. This includes appropriate conservation lands owned by the company in various Arizona levels of non-motorized public access and use and other locations. measures to protect the open space and conservation values of Apache Leap. When the ownership of this parcel transfers to Resolution Copper, access to some Oak Flat recreational sites will be limited or lost. • To protect public safety, rock climbing and bouldering activities This will include 16 campsites that are located on about 50 acres ultimately will need to be relocated. Resolution Copper is of the forest service parcel as well as portions of the parcel that working with interested stakeholders, including members of the are used for climbing and bouldering. The company is working climbing community, to identify suitable alternative locations for with key stakeholders to identify alternatives to offset or mitigate rock climbing. Existing climbing sites are expected to remain these impacts. For example: accessible to the public during pre-feasibility mining studies as long as they remain safe for use. • In the land exchange, Resolution Copper will provide 110 acres of its private land at Apache Leap to enhance the long- • Resolution Copper is working with the Town of Superior and term protection of this escarpment, a large west-facing cliff that other interested stakeholders to identify a suitable alternative lies just west of the Oak Flat parcel. Apache Leap provides a to the current campground at Oak Flat. For more information visit: resolutioncopper.com Location – Pinal County, east of Superior Oak Flat Acres – 2,422 The Oak Flat parcel rests in the heart of the historic Pioneer Mining District, is in relative close proximity to several mining operations and adjacent to the company’s No. 9 and 10 shafts. • After extensive surveys, one federally listed endangered of these resources and will obtain the necessary clearances species, the Arizona hedgehog cactus, has been found on the and approvals to appropriately protect them. federal parcel. Historic and prehistoric cultural and heritage resources also have been identified. Resolution Copper recognizes the value of these resources and will obtain the necessary clearances and approvals to appropriately protect, and if necessary, mitigate them. • One federally listed endangered species, the Arizona hedgehog cactus, has been found on the federal parcel. Historic and pre-historic cultural and heritage resources have also been identified. Resolution Copper recognizes the value For more information visit: resolutioncopper.com Location– Pinal County, near the Town of Mammoth 7B Ranch Acres– 3,050 The 3,050-acre 7B Ranch includes approximately seven miles of the Lower San Pedro River. The property is used by many migrating bird species and boasts one of the largest mesquite bosques in the Southwest. The San Pedro River flows north from its headwaters in the The San Pedro corridor is one of the most important riparian Mexican state of Sonora for 140 miles before joining the Gila habitats in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, with more than River in southeastern Arizona. It is one of the last major 390 species of birds and a highly diversified mammal population. undammed rivers in the Southwest. In November 1988, Congress Public acquisition and protection of the non-federal 7B parcel designated 40 miles and 58,000 acres of the upper San Pedro would expand the conservation acreage along the river’s northern corridor as the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area corridor, providing important habitat protection in the critical lower (SPRNCA). In addition to the SPRNCA, more than 150,000 acres reaches of the San Pedro. along the lower and middle sections of the San Pedro watershed are also protected in preserves and conservation areas. For more information visit: resolutioncopper.com Location – Pinal County, near the Town of Mammoth 7B Ranch Acres – 3,050 The San Pedro River ecosystem has earned The Nature Conservancy’s designation as one of “The Last Great Places on Earth.” Key Benefits of acquisition: • Deep in the bosque, a free-flowing artesian spring creates a rare wetland populated by lowland leopard frogs, nesting birds • Approximately seven miles of the San Pedro River and its and native fish. This area has been recognized by the Tucson riparian corridor, this reach includes 811 acres of a relic, high- Audubon Society and BirdLife International as an “Important quality mesquite bosque extending approximately three miles Bird Area.” along the east side of the river. This bosque, believed to be one of the largest remaining in the Southwest, is especially • Potential habitat is present for a number of federally-listed important based on its age, resistance to disturbance and threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species, resilient vegetation assemblages. including the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, the southwestern willow flycatcher, the yellow-billed cuckoo and the Gila topminnow. For more information visit: resolutioncopper.com Location– Santa Cruz County, south of Elgin Appleton Ranch Acres – 940 In 1969, the Appleton Family, working with the National Audubon Society, the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, established the Research Ranch in Santa Cruz County as a sanctuary for native plants and animals and a research facility for the study of grassland ecosystems. This property offers protection of lands within the boundaries of Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Research Ranch the Appleton Whittell Research Ranch. The 956 acres acquired Foundation. from the Appletons will eliminate non-federal lands that are intermingled with and adjacent to the Las Cienegas National More than 90 species of native grass and 480 native plant Conservation Area established by Congress in December of species create a biologically-rich plant community. Over 200 2000. species of birds use the Research Ranch for wintering, breeding, or as a migratory habitat. More than 60 species of mammals The mission of the Research Ranch is to formulate, test and have been found on the Research Ranch, including pronghorn. demonstrate methods to restore and safeguard the bioregion, Efforts are underway to rehabilitate an ecosystem that was not and to assist citizens and policy makers in the protection and adapted to large grazing animals. Active management efforts stewardship of our native ecosystems, natural resources and include erosion control, eradication of exotic species and quality of life. In 1980, The National Audubon Society assumed reseeding of native grasses. management of the Research Ranch, which is now a cooperative partnership among the National Audubon Society, US Forest For more information visit: resolutioncopper.com Location – Santa Cruz County, south of Elgin Appleton Ranch Acres – 940 The Research Ranch has protected grassland ecosystems through conservation, research and education. Birds and other animals, plants, soil, microorganisms and air are Information from independent researchers and Audubon staff studied on the Research Ranch. More than 80 projects are contribute sound science and documentation that enable land ongoing and all have a common goal of working toward managers to provide responsible stewardship for lands across preservation of the grassland ecosystems in the Southwest. the Southwest. For more information visit: resolutioncopper.com Location – Pinal County, east of Superior Apache Leap Private Lands Acres – 110 Apache Leap is a scenic and historic cliff overlooking the Town of Superior. This outstanding feature includes cultural, recreational and scenic bill would best serve the public interest. The most recent version resources that are important to Superior, Native American tribes of the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act and the general public. The lands around Apache Leap comprise transfers ownership of Resolution Copper’s 110 acres along Tonto National Forest and private lands owned by Resolution Apache Leap to the US Forest Service. Copper. Based on feedback from stakeholders, Resolution Copper has determined that adding its acreage to the exchange For more information visit: resolutioncopper.com Location – Coconino County, north of Payson East Clear Creek Acres – 640 The East Clear Creek parcel comprises 640 acres located within the Coconino National Forest. East Clear Creek, which extends more than two miles through system, including bluehead suckers, Little Colorado suckers, the property, contains riparian and aquatic ecosystems which speckled dace, roundtail chub and the federally-listed Colorado have long been recognized for