Legends of Superior Trail Ecotourism Festival

The Legends of Superior Trail Ecotourism Festival takes place this Saturday (February 8). It starts at 9:am at the Magma Club.

There will be guided hikes, group equestrian rides, a group mountain bike ride, a history lecture series, barbecue luncheon and an evening ghost walk in downtown Superior.

For information call 520-689-0200.

Apache Leap Mining Festival

Superior’s 26^th Annual Apache Leap Mining Festival will be held the weekend of March 7 through 9.

There will be mining competitions, music, dancing, food, a parade, chihuahua races and more.

For more information and the schedule of events visit superiorarizonachamber.org.

Group Forms to Support Resolution Copper; Opposition Also Growing

A group of citizens and business owners in Superior have created a new organization they say is intended to support local economic and community development efforts and hold local elected officials accountable.

The Superior Copper Alliance  was formed following the Superior Town Council’s withdrawal of support for the Resolution Copper project. They helped gather more than 400 signatures on a petition giving support to the mine project and have spoken out against the actions of the Town Council.

The Superior Copper Alliance has also taken out recall petitions against  Councilmember “Kiki” Peralta. She has raised concerns about water and environmental issues. Peralta says the plan of operations for the mine still needs to be disclosed and discussed.

The Superior Town Council has terminated its Mutual Benefirts Agreement  with Resolution Copper, saying  it required the town to borrow $8 million to purchase land already owned or permitted to the Town.

The Queen Valley Homeowners Association has passed a resolution opposing the bill. It says the mining company has been pumping 900,000 gallons of water a day out of the Queen Creek drainage area, which they say is water their community depends on.

The City of Globe recently  tabled a resolution of support for the Land Swap bill, largely because of concerns over the copper company’s requirement for 40,000 acre feet of water a year. Globe Councilmember Dezi Baker says that amount of water could supply the City of Globe for 16 years. He says he cannot support the bill without full disclosure about the mining company’s water needs and its compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce has stated its support for the bill.

Opponents say the mine would destroy an area set aside in 1955 by President Eisenhower that is sacred to the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

Resolution Copper to Cut 400 Jobs

Resolution Copper Company has announced that  it will suspend shaft and drilling work at its Superior operation and eliminate about 400 jobs. They say the cuts are the result of continued uncertainty around a proposed land exchange.

The Casa Grande Dispatch reports that the cuts amount to about 75% of Resolution’s workforce. Resolution says it can’t  continue without the land exchange, which would give the company  ownership of 2,400 acres of national forest land.

Opponents say the layoff announcement is a ploy to pressure Congress to pass the land exchange bill.

Those opposing the land swap include conservationists and Native American groups, as well as the Obama administration and many Democratic lawmakers. They say an environmental review should be completed before the exchange is made. They also claim  that under Arizona’s 1872 Mining Law,  the mining company would not have to pay royalties to the US government for mineral rights that could be worth billions of dollars.

Native American groups say sacred lands and cultural artifacts would be displaced by the mine.

Apache Leap Mining Festival

The 24th Annual Apache Leap Mining Festival is going on Friday through Sunday in Superior. Miners will be competing for $2,000 in cash prizes.

There will also be free entertainment, including the Yellow Bird Native American Dancers, Sun City Poms, and Western reenactments. There’s also chihuahua races, a carnival, food, vendors and a Saturday night street dance.

For more information call the Superior Chamber of Commerce at 520-689-0200.

'Cruisin' Main Street Car Show'

The fourth annual Cruisin’ Main Street Car Show will be held in Superior on Saturday, June 4. They'll have an Auto Parts Swap Meet, food and entertainment, and Best Car Contest.

Entry fee is $15. For more information call the Superior Chamber of Commerce at 520-689-0200.

Gosar Introduces Land Exchange Bill

The Arizona Geology blog reports that 1st District Congressman Paul Gosar has introduced legislation in the US House to effect the land exchange needed by Resolution Copper to develop its underground mine near Superior. Gosar’s two predecessors—Ann Kirkpatrick and Rick Renzi—also pushed for similar legislation.

Renzi was indicted for his involvement in related land deals and the bill was tainted by association.

The Hill newspaper says that one of the main differneces between Gosar’s bill and Kirkpatrick’s bill is that Gosar’s bill requires an environmental impact study after the land is given to Resolution Copper rather than before.

Town of Superior Threatens to Jail Dr. Wilt for Building Code Violations

Town of Superior officials are threatening to jail Dr. Glenn Wilt for building code violations. KPHO in Phoenix reports that they are accusing the ASU professor of neglecting historic buildings and getting in the way of economic development.

Wilt has had similar problems with property he owns in downtown Globe.

Superior officials say Wilt owns about 60% of the buildings in their downtown area. They say many are safety hazards. The fire marshall says Wilt has been cited more than 30 times. Fire Marshall Todd Pryor says Wilt’s buildings were all functioning, operating buildings when Wilt took them over. He says Wilt doesn’t even try to make excuses. He just doesn’t want to spend money.

The Superior town attorney said last month that he will ask a judge to send Wilt to jail for five days over alleged repeat violations of the town health and safety codes.