Terry Rambler, the chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona, testified against S.339 at a hearing on Wednesday.

The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act authorizes a land swap between the federal government and Resolution Copper Mining. The land that the company will receive will be used for a copper mine near sacred Apache sites.

Rambler testified that the development will desecrate the sites. He also said the tribe's views haven't been taken into consideration by members of Arizona's Congressional delegation.

“Once it gets desecrated, it really infringes on our Apache way of life, which is our freedom of religion,” Rambler told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Cronkite News reported.

The Obama administration also opposes the bill. The land at issue falls within the Tonto National Forest.

The House version of the bill, H.R.687, was pulled from the floor last week due to opposition from tribes.

Get the Story:
San Carlos Apache official says copper mine threatens sacred sites (Cronkite News Service 11/20)
No vote on Oak Flat Land Exchange bill (The Apache Moccasin 11/20)

Committee Notice:
Misc. Public Lands Bills (November 20, 2013)

Related Stories:
Tribal lobbying halts measure for copper mine by sacred site (11/14)
Ex-Rep. Rick Renzi sentenced to three years in corruption case (10/29)
Editorial: Respect tribe's concerns about mine near sacred site (10/16)
House takes up bill to authorize copper mine near sacred site (9/26)