Brewer Supports Land Swap

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer says she supports the Resolution Copper Mining project. Brewer toured the site in Superior on Thursday. She says federal lawmakers should approve the land swap legislation that would pave the way for the project.

The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2009 includes a transfer of land from the federal government to Resolution Copper. In return, Resolution Copper would give the government more than 5,500 acres of conservation lands.

Native Americans{pdf}—including the San Carlos Apache Tribe—are protesting the deal, and so are some environmental groups{pdf}. The deal has also been tainted by a corruption scandal involving former Representative Rick Renzi.

But supporters say the project will generate thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in taxes.