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TUCSON, Ariz. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published its final supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendments for the Ray Land Exchange. The proposed land exchange with ASARCO LLC would allow the BLM to acquire valuable lands and resources to enhance public access for hunting and recreation, manage wildlife migration corridors by consolidating checkerboard land ownership and fragmentation, while also supporting Arizona’s mining economy.

Today’s publication begins a 30-day availability period for the final supplemental EIS and a concurrent 30-day protest period for the Proposed RMP Amendments.

“Responsible development of natural resources, coupled with increased recreational opportunities and access, has the potential to benefit local communities and America,” said BLM Gila District Manager Scott Feldhausen. “The BLM’s proposed alternative for the Ray land exchange strikes a balance among economic development, wildlife conservation and public recreation.”

Under the BLM’s preferred alternative, the BLM would transfer 9,339 acres of public land adjacent to ASARCO’s Ray Mine Complex and Copper Butte properties near Kearny, for a planned mine expansion. In exchange, the BLM would acquire up to 7,304 acres ASARCO-owned land in Pinal and Mohave Counties, consolidating checkerboard land ownership in those areas. 

The BLM-acquired lands would provide the public with access to and recreational opportunities on miles of the Gila and Big Sandy rivers, and increase access to many other areas including the Warm Springs and Mt. Tipton wildernesses and the McCracken Mountains – all of which are known for their wildlife habitat, scenic and recreational values. Consolidating land ownership will allow for more comprehensive management of wildlife migration corridors.

The public land to be transferred includes 7,196 acres of full estate and 2,143 acres of subsurface mineral estate, the surface of which is already owned by ASARCO. ASARCO currently holds more than 700 active mining claims on federal lands at and near the site. 

According to ASARCO, in 2017, the Ray Mine Complex employed more than 1,100 people, generated $88.5 million in salaries and benefits, $10.7 million in taxes, and $208 million in total materials and spending.

The final supplemental EIS analyzes potential environmental impacts related to the proposed land exchange, which originally involved up to 10,976 acres of public lands. However, updated appraisals in 2018 revealed that the value of the public lands had increased since the exchange was originally proposed. Federal law requires that the lands exchanged be equal in value, with no more than a 25 percent cash equalization payment included. In order to equalize the exchange, the BLM’s preferred alternative involves exchanging less public lands than originally proposed. ASARCO would likely be required to make up any remaining difference in value with a cash equalization payment.

The BLM is proposing amendments to three RMPs in order to facilitate the transfer of the lands identified in the exchange. Public input was an important part of developing the final supplemental EIS and proposed RMP amendments. The BLM conducted four public meetings in Arizona, among other outreach activities. 

The original environmental analysis of the Ray Land Exchange was completed by the BLM in 1999. The land exchange was approved on April 27, 2000, but was later set aside as a result of a legal challenge. This final supplemental EIS supplements the previous environmental analysis and also updates information to reflect any changes in environmental conditions in the project area, as well as any applicable environmental laws or regulatory policies that may have come into effect since 1999.

The documents, maps and other information about the proposed land exchange are available online at https://go.usa.gov/xEnKR. This site is also where protests related to the proposed RMP amendments may be filed.