The Empire-Fagan Coalition

Cumulative Impacts of Mining Proposals in the Area

1) Proposed Cal Portland Cement Mining Co
  a) Pima County has granted Cal Portland a flood plain use permit that would allow a haul road across on crossing of Davidson Creek (they will need four).
2) Proposed Charles Seel Mining Co
  a) Would us the same haul road through the Davidson Canyon
3) Proposed Rosemont Project (Augusta Resources)
  a) and its drainage's into the Davidson Canyon
  b) Intends to block Barrel Canyon with tailing, which feeds the Davidson
  c) Loss of surface water
4) W. R. Henderson (Andrada) Quarry at Wentworth and Sahaurita
5) Watershed issues
a) Quality and quantity (waters of the Davidson Canyon is of high quality)
b) With the run off draining into the Davidson Canyon - Outstanding Waters
c) Davidson Canyon supports a few perennial springs
d) Serious consequences could occur downstream
6) El Paso Natural Gas Line
  a) Crosses the Davidson Canyon further north
  b) Arizona Trail
7) Kinder Morgan Liquid Products Pipeline
  a) Crosses the Davidson Canyon further north
8) Historic Artifacts
9) Historic Andrada Ranch is in proximity
10) Bar V Ranch - Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan for Pima County
11) Possible degradation to the Riparian Area- designated IRA (Important Riparian Area)
  a) Wildlife corridor, animal habitat
  b) AZ Dept of Transportation also - under I-10
  c) High biological significance area containing habitat for vulnerable species
    i) Gila topminnow, Gila chub, Mexican garter snake, lowland leopard frog,
    ii) Lesser long-nosed bat and many migratory birds
  d) State designated regionally critical wildlife corridor underneath I-10, 
    i) Connecting the Santa Rita, Empire and Rincon Mountain ranges
12) View shed impairment
13) Loss of recreational area
14) Hwy 83
  a) High volume of heavy truck traffic
  b) Wide/oversized loads
  c) Scenic Highway Designation
  d) School buses stops
  e) Very limited cell phone service
15) Old Sonoita Hwy
  a) Windshields are chipped from road debris in semi tires
  b) Very limited cell phone service
16) Designated Outstanding Waters just to the North
  a) Santa Cruz "Traditional Navigable Water" (waterways/tributaries)
17)  This designation means that no activity that would cause permanent degradation
Of water quality would be permitted in the waterway.
18) Cienega Creek (which is also designated as an outstanding waters)
  a) Davidson Canyon is the largest drainage into the Cienega Creek
  b) Cienega Preserve.
19) The Santa Cruz River designation
20) Flowing Springs
21) Not in a fire district
  a) Mine to pay Corona De Tucson Response Area
22) Diverse flora and fauna
  a) Priority vulnerable species listed on the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan
  b) Threatened and endangered species or species or species of concern
23) Water Pollution
  a) Local well,
  b) Wildlife, Riparian
  c) Tucson Aquifer
24) Air Pollution
  a) Blasting, dust
25) Noise Pollution
  a) Blasting, noise
  b) Heavy commercial trucks.
26) Who will monitor/pay quality water to assure that it is safe
27) Residential wells/water.
28) Cumulative economic property value loss w/3 mines in the area
29) Loss to Heritage and Eco-Tourism
30) Missile Silos
31) Other aggregate mines off Mash Station Road
32) TEP services (talk of 138kV poles running to Rosemont) (their MPO stats no elec. will be needed - will work off generator)
33) 3-4 Housing developments in the immediate 10/83 interchange,
34) PCSD response time in the area 

County Opposes Renewal of Mineral Lease to Arizona/California Portland Cement Company on State Trust Land

In December of 2004, the Arizona State Land Department requested comments from the County on the renewal of several mineral leases and on new mineral leases along Davidson Canyon and within the Cienega Valley. The County’s position has consistently been that these proposals for new or continued mining run counter to significant conservation efforts that have taken place in this area at the Federal and local level and will irretrievably damage the integrity of this nationally important landscape and a key water source for Tucson’s population.  One mining company in particular, Arizona/California Portland Cement has been successful in getting a mining lease from the Arizona State Land Department for land on the east and west side of Davidson Canyon.  The County submitted comments opposing the renewal of the lease due to the impact mining could have on significant public investments in conservation properties downstream of the proposed mine and impacts on surrounding landowners.  The County’s comments regarding the renewal of this lease are contained in numerous letters to the State Land Department and the Governor, and are also contained in a Board adopted resolution.  Initially, the County received no response to these letters.

For more info, click link below:

  http://www.pima.gov/Mining/default.html