The U.S. Forest Service will give the public another three months to offer comments on items that need to be considered in an environmental impact statement on the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine in the Santa Rita Mountains, about 30 miles southeast of Tucson.

But U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., said the ultimate decision of whether to build the mine will be an economic decision made by the owner of the mine, Augusta Resource Corp.

Giffords said public protests at environmental scoping meetings in Tucson, Green Valley and Patagonia encouraged her to seek more time for the Forest Service to gather data.

A news conference March 28 at Giffords’ Tucson office also included Jeanine Derby, forest supervisor for the Coronado National Forest.

"Mining is an accepted use of National Forest Land," Derby said, adding she is "radically neutral on the project."

Giffords said she is concerned about "the mine’s potential impacts on our water, air and quality of life."

Other elected officials have joined in opposition to the proposed mine, including the Pima County Board of Supervisors, whose members voted unanimously to oppose it.

Rosemont Copper is drilling water wells in the Sahuarita area and nearby residents are complaining their wells are being affected.

Giffords, with Derby, said the public scoping process for the environmental impact statement will be extended to July 11. The original deadline was April 18.

Additionally, two more open houses will be scheduled, one in Sahuarita and another in Sonoita. An open house was scheduled to take place Saturday (April 5).

Open houses have already been held in Tucson on March 18 and in Green Valley on March 19. A March 20 open house in Patagonia was cut short when some of those attending became unruly.

Those attending the meetings so far have been asked to submit their comments in writing. At future meetings, the plan is to allow people to speak and have their comments recorded.

Contact Jim Lamb, a reporter for the Green Valley News, at jlamb@gvnews.com or (520) 547-9749.