Sponsors (24)
The bill protects a culturally sacred landscape and reduces environmental and health risks for tribal and nearby communities by prohibiting mining and certain infrastructure on federal land, at the cost of foreclosing mining and some infrastructure-driven economic opportunities and risking legal and administrative disputes and costs.
Indigenous tribal communities: the bill federally recognizes Chí’chil Biłdagoteel / Oak Flat as a historic and sacred district, guarantees access for traditional activities, and requires government-to-government consultation, strengthening cultural protections.
Tribal lands residents and nearby rural communities: prohibiting mining, waste pipelines, and certain utility development within the historic district preserves landscapes, wildlife and water resources and reduces risks of contamination and subsidence.
Local communities and local governments: keeping National Forest land undeveloped maintains scenic, recreational and tourism value that can support local economies.
Workers in nearby communities, regional economies, and industry: prohibiting mining and related development will reduce job opportunities, prospective regional revenue, and could lower domestic copper supply available to manufacturers and utilities.
Utilities, energy companies, and infrastructure planners: bans on rights-of-way, pipelines, power lines, and mineral leasing in the withdrawn lands block future infrastructure and energy projects on that Federal land.
Taxpayers and federal agencies: the bill's protections and the explicit treatment of prior conveyances could trigger legal disputes over land transfers and create additional administrative and litigation costs as agencies implement prohibitions and negotiate agreements.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Withdraws specified National Forest land in the Oak Flat historic district from public-land and mining laws, bans mining and related infrastructure there, and requires tribal consultation and cooperative agreements.
Official title: To preserve the Traditional Cultural Place of Chi'chil Bildagoteel Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 17, 2026 by Adelita S. Grijalva · Last progress March 17, 2026
Permanently protects the Chí’chil Biłdagoteel (Oak Flat) traditional cultural place by withdrawing the National Forest System portion from public land and mining laws and banning mining and mining-related activities on that federal land. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to preserve the area's natural and cultural integrity and to consult and enter cooperative agreements with Indian Tribes to ensure access for traditional uses and protection of sacred sites. The bill defines the historic district and key terms, documents congressional findings about Oak Flat’s cultural and archaeological significance, and makes clear that prohibited uses include mineral location/patenting, mineral leasing, and other disposals or infrastructure associated with mining despite any other law.