Environmental Impact Comment Period Information and Events
People working with Save the Scenic Santa Ritas are often asked "How can I help to stop the proposed Rosemont mine?" Now that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been released, we can help by submitting comments on the DEIS. Our voice is important in this process. The Forest Service needs to hear from us in making a decision that reflects our values and priorities.
Getting involved:
- Attend an SSSR or coalition group-sponsored public comment workshop to learn about the DEIS and how to submit good comments. The first SSSR workshop is this Wednesday, November 9th at 6:30 PM at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Tucson (2331 E. Adams St.).
- Attend a Forest Service public meeting/hearing. Currently the first scheduled Forest Service meeting is Saturday November 12th at 1:00 PM at Palo Verde High School in Tucson.
- Download and read at least the Executive Summary of the DEIS, and other sections that are of interest to you The coalition of groups opposing the mine has convened expert panels to review and comment in detail on each major area of concern, so you don't need to read the whole thing.
- Submit comments by January 18th, 2012. To download sections of the DEIS, and for information on how to submit comments, go to the Forest Service's website for the proposed mine at http://rosemonteis.us.
What is the DEIS?
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is a roughly 1,000 page document released by the Forest Service that considers impacts to these main areas of concern: Air Quality and Climate Change, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Cultural Resources within Utility Corridor Alternatives, Dark Skies, Fuels and Fire Management, Geology, Minerals, and Paleontology, Groundwater Quality, Groundwater Quantity, Hazardous Materials, Landownership and Boundary Management, Livestock Grazing, Noise, Public Health and Safety, Recreation and Wilderness, Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice, Soils, Surface Water Quality, Surface Water Quantity, Transportation/Access, and Visual Resources.
SSSR and Coalition group DEIS workshops:
November 9th, 6:30-8:00 PM
Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church - 2331 E. Adams St., Tucson
(1 block south of the Arizona Inn)
November 13, 2:00-3:30 PM
Elgin Community Club, 475 Elgin Road, Elgin
(sponsored by the Mountain Empire Action Alliance)
December 5th, 6:30-8:00 PM
Cady Hall - 346 Duquesne Ave. Patagonia, AZ
December 9th, 1:30 PM
Green Valley American Legion Hall - 1560 W Duval Mine Rd
December 11th, 7:00 PM
Quail Creek - Madera Clubhouse ballroom, 2055 E. Quail Crossing Blvd
Forest Service Public Meetings/Hearings Scheduled
(Last updated 10/19/11)
November 12, 2011, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Palo Verde High School, 1302 S. Avenida Vega, Tucson, AZ
November 19, 2011, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Empire High School, 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Tucson, AZ
December 7, 2011, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Benson High School, 360 S. Patagonia Street, Benson, AZ
December 10, 2011, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Elgin Elementary School, 23 Elgin Rd., Elgin, AZ
Latest News
Negatives far outweigh questionable positives on Rosemont Mine Richard Elías Special To The Arizona Daily Star, November 3, 2011 Rosemont Mine opponents want suspension of public comment process By Barbara Grijalva, KOLD.com, November. 2, 2011 Law Journal to Host Energy and Environment Symposium November 5th National Forest approves mining exploration proposal By JB Miller, The Bulletin, Novemer 2, 2011 Rosemont Copper Greaterville Fire Followup by Robert Harris in Tucson Citizen.com, November 2, 2011 Company hopes "green" plan wins OK for proposed copper mine By Cassondra Strande, Cronkite News, Wednesday, November 2 Cronkite NewsWatch video segment on Rosemont (story starts a minute or two into this video) 2 sides digging in their heels on plans for Rosemont mine by Tony Davis in Arizona Daily Star, October 30th, 2011 Copper Traders See Rally Ending as China Use Slows: Commodities Nicholas Larkin in Bloomberg Business Week, October 28, 2011 Grijalva wants Rosemont process halted by Philip Franchine in Green Valley News and Sun, October 25, 2011 |
