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During late 2014, the officials within the Tonto National Forest along with the San Carlos Apache tribe filed the nomination paperwork to designate the Oak Flats campground as a culturally and historically significant site. The nomination application is now at the desk of the the Keeper of the Record at the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service.
The nomination application process has gone through multiple layers of federal government review prior to it being finalized by the United States Keeper of the Record in Washington D.C. The application was submitted by to the Forest Supervisor, Neil Bosworth. Once it was reviewed by the forest supervisor it was sent the regional office of the Western Forest Service in New Mexico. The application process allowed for Pinal County Supervisor Pete Rios to submit a letter from his office to support the nomination or offer comments against the nomination. Following
In December, Supervisor Rios wrote a letter of non-support for the application and included letters from local residents who opposed the nomination of Oak Flats as a culturally significant site. Those letters and comments were to be included with the nomination application that was sent to the regional forest service offices in New Mexico. The application was received by the National Register in Washington D.C. in May. The National Register took comments for and against the nomination through Monday, June 29, 2015. At press time is was unknown when the Keeper of the Record would decide on this nomination application.
The listing application is named Chi’chil Bildagoteel Historic District; the address for the application is listed as restricted and the town of reference is listed as Kearny (spelled Kearney), Arizona in the online listing. In addition to this nomination, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has also named the Oak Flats as one of America’s top 11 endangered places. It was listed along with the Grand Canyon. According to the Trust’s website, the organization has used the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places to raise awareness about the threats facing some of nations greatest treasures.
Since the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation act was approved by Congress in December 2014, groups opposing the land exchange and the Resolution Copper project have continued to fight the project. The San Carlos Apache Tribe has been allowed to maintain a camp at the campground and install holy crosses in the campground. Those opposing the mine maintain the site and are planning to caravan cross country to Washington, D.C to continue to build their opposition. In mid June, Arizona Representatives Raul Grijalva and Ruben Gallego along with 10 other members of Congress introduced a bill to repeal the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act. The bill has not been assigned to a committee at this time.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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