Bush admin proceeds on widely opposed mine

Santa Rita Mountains threatened by open-pit mining

TUCSON -- Coronado National Forest Supervisor Jeanine Derby this week submitted a Notice of Intent for publication in the Federal Register to initiate preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Augusta Corp. open pit mine in the Santa Rita Mountains.

This mine proposal is widely disliked across southern Arizona, with strong bi-partisan opposition from elected officials and a diverse majority of the public.

The EIS will disclose the potential environmental and social effects anticipated as a result of the proposed Rosemont Mine Plan of Operation (MPO), including construction and operation of an open-pit mine and related facilities, and will determine if the Forest Plan must be amended to allow such mining activities.

In addition, the EIS may evaluate other connected actions related to the MPO, such as construction of roads and utilities.

As proposed, the Augusta mine would be located 30 miles southeast of Tucson, in Pima County, on approximately 995 acres of private land, 3,670 acres of National Forest land, 15 acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and 75 acres of State Trust land.

More info at Save the Scenic Santa Ritas.

Attend the Forest Service Scoping Meetings:

Tues, 18 March, Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus, 5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz, Tucson, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wed, 19 March, Canoa Hills Recreation Center, 3660 S. Camino del Sol, Green Valley, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Thurs, 20 March, Patagonia Union High School, Patagonia, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00p.m.