Though the resolution doesn’t derail Canadian firm Augusta Resource Corp.’s plans to mine the Rosemont Ranch area, it could serve as the opening salvo in what promises to be several years of wrangling and protest.
“Ultimately, it may be a federal court that decides whether a permit is granted to Rosemont Mine,” said Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry during a packed supervisors meeting Jan. 16.
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The supervisors agreed they wanted to pursue an effort through Congress to withdraw all public U.S. Forest Service lands in the Nogales Ranger District from consideration for mining exploration. The area generally includes the Tumacacori, Santa Rita, Whetstone, Huachuca, and Patagonia mountain ranges
Security workers said the crowd wanting to get into the county supervisors’ hearing room was the largest they had ever seen for a meeting. The line snaked through the lobby of the county building.
“The recreation value of this pristine area will be permanently diminished, if not destroyed, by this proposed project,” said Tom Ward, an economic development specialist and volunteer with the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council, speaking of behalf of 19 homeowners associations. “The pleasures of hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, bird watching, etc., now enjoyed by our citizens, is not compatible with a copper mine.”
Augusta Resource Corp. brought a contingent of its own, including more than a dozen people wearing shirts which were printed with “I want one of 350 jobs at the mine,” referring to the job creation Augusta has promised will be part of the project.
Augusta CEO Gil Clausen urged the supervisors to hold off on the resolution. He said the comprehensive Plan of Operations for the proposed mine won’t be finished for at least two to three months.
“We are asking that you give us a neutral review,” Clausen said. “Wait till it’s all done.”
As more than 3,000 acres of nearby Coronado National Forest Service land is essential to the project, the U.S. Forest Service must still sign-off on Augusta’s plans.
Augusta has said that it’s a new kind of mining company, promising less impact on public lands, dry tailing, water conservation, and a robust reclamation program.
“We know the old ways won’t be approved,” said Jaime Sturgess, Augusta’s vice president for projects and the environment. This will be a mine “that meets new challenges and the new expectations of the community.”
While Supervisor Ann Day, a Republican, lauded Augusta for its new approach to extraction, she said the impact of copper mining in this region has “left a bad taste in our mouths.”
“Augusta has tried very hard to address the sins of the past,” Day added. “But it’s a new day.”
E-mail comments for publication to editor@azbiz.com. Contact Tim Hull at the Green Valley News by e-mail at thull@gvnews.com.
© 2006 Inside Tucson Business. All Rights Reserved
Comments
Gail Wilson wrote on Jun 18, 2008 10:16 AM:
My name is Gail Wilson.
Would you please help me with my son's case? I am sending this to you for "Exposure" if nothing else, please.
The email below was sent 3 days before this Public Defender Robin Lipetkzy "Changed things".
Subject: Re: Jay Shawn Johnson To: "GAIL WILSON" From: "Robin Lipetzky" View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:22:16 -0700 Hi Gail- I spoke with the DA again yesterday. I explained that the most that Jay would be willing to do is an additional two to three years. He said they cannot agree to that. So, at this point we will be planning for another trial. The first step is deciding on the right attorney to handle the case within our office. I will be meeting with Jay this morning to discuss the next steps with him. I am extremely disappointed that the DA will not agree to something more reasonable for Jay. I am also determined that we will fight his case in trial with every resource that we have. I'll see you this afternoon. Robin -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Someone was PLAYING or GOT PLAYED Regarding JAY SHAWN JOHNSON –CASE NO 960691-4 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA V JAY SHAWN JOHNSON DEAR ROBIN LIPETZKY, DAVID COLEMAN, RON BOYER, WILLIAM GAGEN,STEPHEN BEDRICK Something very wrong happened on April 25, 2008. I believe ROBIN was playing both sides (Public Defender working for the DA) or ROBIN got played by the District Attorney (according to the DA's quote in the Newspaper). I BELIEVE ROBIN LIPETZKY WAS NOT TRUTHFUL WITH JAY AND INSTEAD OF COUNSELING, ROBIN USED HER POWER OF INFLUENCE, INGRAINED FEAR TO PERSUADE JAY TO ACCEPT THE PLEA. Mr. Gagen and Ron Boyer and let's not forget about Stephen Bedrick (who took this case to the UNITED STATES SUPREME COURTS and WON) all the work that you put into this case. For what, so the ROBIN LIPETZKY and her RELIABLE SOURCE can SPIT ON YOUR EFFORTS. When I spoke with Robin on Friday the 18th of April, I ask if she did not believe in Jay, PLEASE refer the case. I believe Robin has assigned herself as JUDGE AND JURY in respect to Jay's case. THIS IS WRONG. YOU MUST CORRECT THIS NOW. I could not remember everything that I would like to say about Jay and this situation. Jay is a wonderful person. As a child he was my right hand "man" even though he was only five years old. I truly don't know what I would have done without him. His three younger brothers were attached to him and vice versa. "