Mission:

During the Annual SXAA Meeting (Saturday, Jan. 20th, 2018) an update was given on the status of the current lease, the farm extension and farm production. From the SXCA, Adam Andrews, the Administrative Manager, and Cie'na Schaefli, the Interim Farm Manager, informed allottees of the Rehab Farm 5-Year land lease is complete and currently pending the Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) approval. A long term land lease which includes the Rehab Farm as well as the land extension is currently being discussed between Board of Directors and Legal. SXCA Management included updates on the Farm Extension design: the Central Pivot Irrigation with a Hydraulic Powered H&L System, the Papago Road Exit for ideal distribution of wholesale hay, & the Stabilization of the Bank to prevent erosion. There has also been a yield increase by 20%, along with the plan to diversify crops to increase revenue as well as marketability. In addition to increasing revenue on the farm the Coop received funds to facilitate a grain and bean milling facility. The USDA development grant funded a cold storage facility which increases the quality of the produce and extends their shelf-life.

Meetings were held with the San Xavier Allottees Assocation, District, and later with ASARCO to discuss proposals for 1) the North Expansion (NE) located in North Pit/Tract I area and surrounding allottments (The Tract 1 mining lease ended in 2005.); and 2) the Northwest Pushback in Tract II. ASARCO Presented at the meeting. 

Information, questions/issues at the above mentioned meetings include: estimates on ore reserve and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process for the NE lease, type of lease, the role of the San Xavier District and the District's development review process, permit for a walk-on NE allotments for cultural resources and biological assessment. 

The San Xavier Allottees Association held a meeting with Asarco Tract II landowners on 9/30 and conducted a poll on whether to negotiate with Asarco for certain amendments to the 2008 Mission Mine Settlement Agreement to facilitate mining the Northward Pushback in the San Xavier South Pit. A ballot was dispersed and collected by the SXAA regarding the Northward Pushback in Tract II. The majority of the votes received were in favor of the SXAA's Negotiation Team to move forward in negotiation with ASARCO.