Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1904, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act, with a bipartisan vote of 235-186. Sponsored by Natural Resources Committee Member Paul Gosar (AZ-01), H.R. 1904 authorizes a fair value land exchange that will unlock the third largest undeveloped copper resource in the world. The bill will create thousands of jobs, generate billions in revenue and strengthen our national security by developing our own U.S. copper resources.

“H.R. 1904 is about creating good-paying American jobs, decreasing our dependence on foreign minerals and growing our economy through expanded American copper production. There is no excuse for the United States to depend on foreign nations for our minerals supplies when we have ample reserves that could be developed here at home. I commend Rep. Gosar on his leadership in getting this bipartisan legislation passed through the House. As the nation battles through this economic recession, House Republicans will continue to promote and pass job creating bills so that we can put Americans back to work and get the economy back on track,” said Chairman Hastings.

“H.R. 1904 will create over three thousand jobs in Arizona and generate billions of dollars in revenue for our local, state, and federal treasuries. This bill strikes the right balance between resource utilization, environmental conservation and economic development. Increasing American minerals production is a step in the right direction for both Arizona and the country and I look forward to continuing our work on this front,” said Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-01).

H.R. 1904, Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011:

• Authorizes a fair value land exchange in Southeast Arizona that would open up the third largest undeveloped copper resource in the world.

• Creates thousands of jobs, generates billions in revenue and strengthens our national security by developing our own U.S. copper resources.

• Requires an equal exchange to ensure fair treatment for taxpayers and the government. The bill further requires that the cost of the land exchange be fully paid for by the mine developer. With these protections in the bill, CBO concludes that the cost of the bill is effectively zero as any cost, for management of newly acquired environmentally and culturally sensitive lands, is so low it can’t be accurately measured.

• Requires full National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance and tribal consultation prior to constructing the mine.

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