Debra Utacia Krol

5 days ago | azcentral.com | Debra Utacia Krol

A federal judge temporarily blocked a procedural move that would allow a land exchange for a copper mine at Oak Flat, east of Phoenix. The ruling was issued two days after lawyers for both sides argued the case in a Phoenix courtroom and will stand until the U.S. Supreme Court acts.

1 week ago | azcentral.com | Debra Utacia Krol

Apache Stronghold asked a federal judge to stop the Trump administration from moving ahead with plans to transfer sacred lands to Resolution Copper. The administration said in April it would push forward with the land swap, with a decision as soon as June 16. Opponents told the judge the land swap was a 'point of no return' for the process. Resolution copper attorneys said Apache Stronghold and other communities would suffer no immediate harm if the process plays out.

1 week ago | azcentral.com | Debra Utacia Krol

Apache Stronghold, a grassroots group, will ask a federal judge May 7 to halt a land swap that would allow work to start on a copper mine at Oak Flat east of Phoenix. The U.S. Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to take a religious rights case that could affect the plan by Resolution Copper to open the mine at what is now a public campground. The mine would leave a huge crater on land that is considered sacred by several Indigenous communities in Arizona.

2 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Debra Utacia Krol

The small Fort McDowell Fire Department has helped open doors to working with other agencies on responding to wildfires in the region. California is seen as a leader in the West in working with tribes on wildfire issues, due in part to a new state law that authorizes such agreements. Arizona has made progress in wildland fire cooperation, but is still struggling with mitigation partnership, in part because of existing state and federal regulations.

3 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Debra Utacia Krol

The Trump administration put Resolution Copper's proposed mine at Oak Flat on a priority list with nine other mining projects, declaring they were vital to the nation's security. A day earlier, the administration announced it would re-issue an environmental impact statement required to finish a land swap that would allow the mine's construction. Tribes and environmentalists say Trump has clearly decided not to wait for court rulings on the project, putting the sacred site in greater jeopardy.