Fourth Congressional District Republican Representative Paul Gosar and Democratic First District Representative Ann Kirkpatrick last week hosted a public discussion about local rural issues. As Arizona Public Radio’s Ryan Heinsius reports, forest health and the economy topped the list of subjects.
Gosar and Kirkpatrick are pushing for the opening of a large copper mine east of Phoenix. They say the project will add $60 billion to Arizona’s economy. Both representatives say such projects would have a significant impact on rural Arizona. Representative Kirkpatrick:
“From my standpoint it’s economic development and jobs, and so I have a vision for rural Arizona, and all of Arizona really, of a strong, diversified, stable economy,” Kirkpatrick says.
But, White Mountain Apache tribal member Phil Stago says the land designated for the mine is considered sacred. Another audience member cited concerns about the mine’s environmental impact.
The crowd had fewer criticisms, however, on the topic of forest health, something both representatives have supported. Gosar says the projects are a necessity for the region.
“We’re surrounded by the largest ponderosa forest in the world. And so, from that standpoint we’re also victims. And what we’re doing is we're crippling ourselves by these catastrophic fires. And so, if it doesn’t succeed here, it’s not going to succeed anywhere,” Gosar says.
According to Kirkpatrick and Gosar, the roundtable discussion is the first of several such meetings to be held in their congressional districts.