In response to rumors claiming that there is little chance of saving Oak Flat, AZ (a popular climbing and recreation area outside of Phoenix and home to the Phoenix Boulder Blast) from being closed and mined, the Access Fund urges outdoor recreationalists and businesses to keep fighting for access and maintain a unified voice.

Resolution Copper Company (RCC), the mining company pushing to close Oak Flat for mining purposes, insists that public access to Oak Flat must be closed forever because of the possibility of massive subsidence due to their preferred mining method. The Access Fund and Friends of Queen Creek (FoQC) oppose the closure and emphasize that there is a way to mine the copper under Oak Flat without destroying the surface.

RCC does not currently have the right to mine beneath Oak Flat and in the process destroy the surface because of an executive order protecting the area. However, RCC is working to sidestep this protection through a legislative land swap. Unlike other areas subject to federal mining laws, Public Land Order 1229, executed in 1954 under Eisenhower and then upheld by Nixon in 1974, protects Oak Flat from mining and sets it aside for recreation. Access Fund Policy Director Jason Keith states "Currently, there is too little information for anyone, including elected officials, to support their land swap proposal. We have a couple things on our side. First, RCC must overcome the executive order prohibiting mining at Oak Flat, and second, it has been proven elsewhere that mines can be profitable while still maintaining the environmental and ecological integrity of the land."

The Access Fund has extensively lobbied the offices of US Senators Kyl and McCain, US Representative Renzi, Arizona Governor Napolitano, local officials, Tonto National Forest, Arizona BLM, Central Arizona Project, state agencies, and the organizer of the Phoenix Boulder Blast. These efforts have led to a coalition that includes over a thousand FoQC members, the Arizona Mountaineering Club, The Sierra Club and Audubon Society, members of the outdoor industry, motorized enthusiasts, canyoneering groups, Arizona businesses, academics, and watchdog groups that focus on mining and land exchanges. The Access Fund also benefits from the advice of respected and experienced mining engineers and public interest law groups who specialize in mining issues.

"While RCC is a multi-national company with multi-billion dollar resources- they're up against a long standing executive order and extremely committed user groups" says Steve Matous, the Access Fund's Executive Director. The Access Fund has started a letter writing campaign opposing the impending land exchange bill. The Access Fund and the Friends of Queen Creek urge people to join them to find a better way for Resolution Copper to contribute to the AZ economy without taking from the AZ environment.

For more information about how to contact your elected officials on this issue, see www.accessfund.org/programs/Queen_letter_6_04.html or email the Access Fund's Policy Director Jason Keith at Jason@accessfund.org. Visit www.friendsofqueencreek for more information.

Contact Robb Shurr at robb@Accessfund.org to get your company or customers involved.

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