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Method of gathering public input sorely lacking
It is still unclear what the final word on Rosemont mine will be, but the final word on the Forest Service process is in: It stinks.
Augusta Resources Corporation wants to reopen the copper mine in scenic Davidson Canyon. Augusta owns the property that will be mined, but they will be using Coronado National Forest land to dump tailings.
Recently the Army Corps of Engineers ruled that the Santa Cruz River is navigable. That finding restricts what can happen to tributaries, including Cienega Creek in Davidson Canyon. That finding gives opponents of the mine another avenue for objection.
But there have already been many objections voiced. Both Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords are against the plan. Pima County supervisor Ray Carroll and administrator Chuck Huckelberry oppose it. A large group of residents in the area opposes it.
Most of the opposition is based on environmental concerns. Once opened up, the mine will never again look the same. That is a particularly scenic part of the area, and to rape it seems a pity. There is also concern about water use. To be fair, the mine has its proponents. Some see the new jobs as a plus. Moreover, modern economies use a lot of copper. We have it; so why not mine it, they ask.
But whether the mine is a good idea or a bad idea, what has definitely been bad is the Forest Service process for gathering public input. In the first place, none of the public hearings were scheduled in Vail or Green Valley, the two communities closest to the proposed mine.
In the second place, the Forest Service needed to be bludgeoned to schedule those public comment sessions. Rep. Giffords finally convinced them to extend what appeared to be an extraordinarily short comment period for such a controversial issue. So they will be taking comments until July 14.
Pardon us if we view that extension as a Pyrrhic victory. It has been very clear from the start that the Forest Service wants this mine to open and they don't seem to care all that much what anybody else wants. Those who have commented in the meetings or by mail felt that the decision had already been made, and the Forest Service was humoring them because it was something they had to do.
There are two sides to this issue and they should be evaluated with an open mind and without undue speed. We feel the Forest Service has made a mockery of the public comment system. If for no other reason, we hope the navigable waters designation forces them to jump through more hoops. It serves them right, and it may allow opponents to actually be heard.
Augusta Resources Corporation wants to reopen the copper mine in scenic Davidson Canyon. Augusta owns the property that will be mined, but they will be using Coronado National Forest land to dump tailings.
Recently the Army Corps of Engineers ruled that the Santa Cruz River is navigable. That finding restricts what can happen to tributaries, including Cienega Creek in Davidson Canyon. That finding gives opponents of the mine another avenue for objection.
But there have already been many objections voiced. Both Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords are against the plan. Pima County supervisor Ray Carroll and administrator Chuck Huckelberry oppose it. A large group of residents in the area opposes it.
Most of the opposition is based on environmental concerns. Once opened up, the mine will never again look the same. That is a particularly scenic part of the area, and to rape it seems a pity. There is also concern about water use. To be fair, the mine has its proponents. Some see the new jobs as a plus. Moreover, modern economies use a lot of copper. We have it; so why not mine it, they ask.
But whether the mine is a good idea or a bad idea, what has definitely been bad is the Forest Service process for gathering public input. In the first place, none of the public hearings were scheduled in Vail or Green Valley, the two communities closest to the proposed mine.
In the second place, the Forest Service needed to be bludgeoned to schedule those public comment sessions. Rep. Giffords finally convinced them to extend what appeared to be an extraordinarily short comment period for such a controversial issue. So they will be taking comments until July 14.
Pardon us if we view that extension as a Pyrrhic victory. It has been very clear from the start that the Forest Service wants this mine to open and they don't seem to care all that much what anybody else wants. Those who have commented in the meetings or by mail felt that the decision had already been made, and the Forest Service was humoring them because it was something they had to do.
There are two sides to this issue and they should be evaluated with an open mind and without undue speed. We feel the Forest Service has made a mockery of the public comment system. If for no other reason, we hope the navigable waters designation forces them to jump through more hoops. It serves them right, and it may allow opponents to actually be heard.
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kr wrote on Jul 9, 2008 5:13 PM: