Date & time: Tuesday, April 1, 6–7.30 PM
Location: The Wilson Barn, 2436 W Linda Vista Road, Oracle AZ 85623 (see map)
Russ McSpadden of the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) will guide participants on how to write and submit public comments on official Draft Environmental Assessments (EAs), ensuring that responses stand a GOOD chance of being considered under the Bureau of Land Management’s “substantive comments” standards. Writing effective EA comments helps to strengthen our efforts to gain legal standing in the fight to protect the Lower San Pedro Watershed from threatened industrial destruction. All U.S. residents are welcome to comment; proposed activities are on public lands, which belong to every one of us.
The Workshop will focus on responding to the Draft EA released by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of Faraday/Redhawk’s Copper Creek Exploration Project, proposed in an uphill tributary of the San Pedro River in the Galiuro Mountains, located 8 miles from Mammoth, Arizona. Our primary concern is that industrial mining at Copper Creek will deplete both community and wildlife water sources, while irreparably harming the San Pedro River, one of Arizona’s last pristine and unfragmented wilderness areas (second only to the Grand Canyon). Note: The deadline for submitting public comments is Monday, April 14.
The Workshop is sponsored by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance and RLV Oracle Art (Wilson Barn Arts). Many thanks to Russ McSpadden for generously sharing his time and expertise, and to our volunteers for their hands-on efforts.
The Workshop is free and open to the public. Participants have the option to attend in person or via Zoom:
Joining in person? You do not need to register beforehand. Feel free to bring personal laptops and notepads. We also will have materials on hand (extra paper, pens, envelopes and stamps).
Joining via Zoom? The number of Zoom registrants is limited, so let us know if you plan on coming. Please click here to register. (NOTE: Zoom links will be sent out a week before—look for a Zoom invite in your email.)
An outline of key issues, articles on the latest developments, and BLM submission links & resources.
KEY POINTS FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
NEWS SOURCES
BLM opens Environmental Assessment for Copper Creek Mine Project to public comment (Arizona Public Media)
Arizona’s groundwater laws mean proposed copper mine near Mammoth could pump unlimited water (Inside Climate News)
Local opinion: Proposed mine threatens San Pedro River, Aravaipa Canyon (Arizona Daily Star)
Community concerned about future of San Pedro Watershed environment (ABC15 News)
Sonora ranchers warn imperiled San Pedro aquifer will impact Arizona, too (Arizona Daily Star)
BLM SOURCES
Draft Environmental Assessment released by the Bureau of Land Management (PDF)
BLM Public meeting for proposed Copper Creek Exploration, March 6, 2025 (Zoom Recording)
WAYS TO SUBMIT COMMENTS
Must be postmarked or submitted by April 14, 2025
Write a letter and mail it to:
Sharisse Flatt, Safford Field Manager
BLM – Safford Field Office
711 S. 14th Ave.
Safford, AZ 85546
Online via the "Participate Now" tab on the BLM NEPA register:
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022124/510