This bill would protect the Chi'chil Bimdagoteel Historic District (also called Oak Flat) in the Tonto National Forest. It withdraws National Forest System land in the district from mining, mineral leasing, and other public-land uses. The Secretary of Agriculture must preserve the natural condition of the land, not carry out activities that would harm its physical or cultural features, and prohibit activities that could harm the landscape, water, wildlife, plants, or ecosystems. The bill also bars mining-related activities on the National Forest System land in the district, including rights-of-way, toxic waste pipelines, utilities, waste disposal, and road development. The Secretary must consult government-to-government with Indian Tribes that have ties to the area and may enter into cooperative agreements to ensure tribal access for traditional activities and protection of sacred and cultural areas.
No publicly available information.
Proponents say Chi'chil Bimdagoteel is a sacred traditional cultural place for Western Apache and other Tribes with many cultural sites, springs, and plants important to tribal practices. They argue the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and should be preserved rather than subjected to large-scale mining and related infrastructure that could destroy cultural resources and harm water supplies and ecosystems. The bill's findings describe concerns about damage from a proposed mine and related infrastructure and call for protecting the district and tribal access.
No publicly available information.