By Phil Riske, Managing Editor | Rose Law Group Reporter
KINGMAN – Mohave County supervisors Monday morning voted unanimously to oppose a land swap between the Bureau of Land Management and ASARCO mining company, which wants to swap 7,304 acres of land in Mohave and Pinal counties for 10,976 acres of BLM land in Pinal County near Casa Grande.
Were the land exchange to receive approval from the BLM, ore than 6,000 acres of private land in Mohave County would be removed from the county’s tax rolls.
“We just can’t afford to give it away,” said Supervisor Buster Johnson.
With minimal discussion, the board approved a resolution not only opposing the land swap but also requesting the county be named a “coordinating” agency for a supplemental environmental impact statement.
The board also approved a resolution by Supervisor Joy Brotheron supporting the transfer of public lands to state control. The Legislature proposed the same resolution this past session in its ongoing attacks on federal powers.
Background: Will mine re-open near Casa Grande?
