Preserve the Traditional Cultural Place Chí’chil Biłdagoteel Historic District Act

Bill Summary: Preserve the Traditional Cultural Place Chí’chil Biłdagoteel Historic District Act (HR 7957)

Overview

The Preserve the Traditional Cultural Place Chí’chil Biłdagoteel Historic District Act is proposed legislation designed to protect a sacred landscape in southeastern Arizona known as Chí’chil Biłdagoteel (Oak Flat). The bill seeks to permanently prohibit mining and related industrial activities within this historic district to preserve its cultural, spiritual, and ecological integrity for Native American tribes.

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of the bill is to prevent the destruction of a "traditional cultural place" officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The legislation is a direct response to the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange Act, which transferred approximately 2,422 acres of public land to Resolution Copper (a joint venture between Rio Tinto and BHP).

The bill argues that the proposed copper mine would cause irreparable harm, including:
* The creation of a 1.8-mile-wide crater 1,000 feet deep.
* The consumption of 250 billion gallons of groundwater.
* The construction of a massive toxic waste dump.
* The destruction of ancestral archaeological sites, sacred springs, and traditional food sources.

Key Provisions

If enacted, the bill would implement the following mandates:

1. Land Withdrawal

The bill withdraws all National Forest System land within the Chí’chil Biłdagoteel Historic District from:
* Public land laws regarding entry, appropriation, or disposal.
* Mining laws (location, entry, and patent).
* Mineral and geothermal leasing.

2. Strict Prohibitions on Mining

The Act explicitly prohibits all mining and mining-related activities. This includes not only the extraction of minerals but also the supporting infrastructure, such as:
* Pipelines: Specifically banning toxic waste pipelines.
* Utilities: Prohibiting high-voltage power line corridors.
* Transportation: Barring the development or expansion of roads for commercial mining use.

3. Environmental and Cultural Preservation

The Secretary of Agriculture is mandated to:
* Preserve the natural state of the land.
* Block any activity that adversely affects the physical or cultural integrity of the district.
* Protect the wildlife, flora, ecosystems, and water resources of the area.

4. Tribal Collaboration

The Secretary must engage in government-to-government consultations with affected Indian Tribes. The bill requires the government to enter into cooperative agreements to ensure tribes have continued access to the land for traditional religious ceremonies, prayer, and the gathering of medicines and food.

Who is Affected?

• Native American Tribes: Specifically the Western Apaches and at least eight other tribes who maintain ancestral and spiritual ties to the land.
• Resolution Copper (Rio Tinto and BHP): The mining consortium would be legally barred from proceeding with their planned extraction and infrastructure projects.
• The U.S. Forest Service: The Department of Agriculture would be tasked with the long-term stewardship and protection of the district.
• Local Communities: Residents of the East Salt River Valley and Gila River watershed would be shielded from potential groundwater depletion and toxic waste risks.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: March 17, 2026
• Current Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.