2005 Press Releases

Coalitions Ask for Review of Decision to Approve Mine that would Harm Homes and Ranches

BLM decision unacceptable and based on incomplete information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 08/24/2005

Vail, AZ. - The Empire-Fagan Coalition and Earthworks have petitioned the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to reconsider an unacceptable decision to approve a limestone mining operation next to residences and ranches in the scenic Empire-Fagan Valley southeast of Tucson, Arizona. The Andrada Quarry, proposed by construction firm W.R. Henderson Arizona Properties, LLC, is located within 1,450 feet of the nearest home and on Arizona State Trust land currently under state grazing lease by the Andrada Ranch. The proposed mine is within the designated biological core of the Pima County Land Conservation System and proposed Santa Rita Mountain Park. Pima County has formally opposed the mine.

The BLM is involved because while the proposed mine is located on Arizona State Trust land, the minerals are owned by the federal government and managed by the BLM.

The Empire-Fagan Coalition is a neighborhood organization formed to protect the quality of life in the Empire-Fagan Valley and considers the proposed quarry to be an inappropriate use of state trust land for the area. According to Coalition President Mary Kidwell, "area residents overwhelmingly believe that an open pit limestone quarry would be completely incompatible with residential development in this peaceful, rural community. Over 640 individuals have already signed our petition supporting this position." EARTHWORKS is the nations foremost conservation organization focusing on mining issues and has a regional office in Tucson.

"For the BLM to claim that the mine would have no impact on our home, just 1,450 feet from the site, is just crazy," said Kim Kolba the nearest neighbor to the proposed mine. "The BLM says a mine that close to my house will increase my property value. With statements like that in the environmental assessment, its no wonder people dont trust the BLM to do whats best for the public."

Ted Notz, ranch manager for the Andrada Ranch said, "If this mine is allowed to operate, I would have heightened difficulties in managing and operating our ranch. The impacts of daily blasting, hauling, crushing and other activities would diminish our property and leasehold values."

The BLM based its decision on the 133 year old 1872 Mining Law that doesnt require mining companies to pay for the minerals they extract from public land, instead of using the Common Varieties Act of 1955, which benefits the public by requiring that common minerals such as limestone be sold.

"If the BLM had done its job of reviewing this proposal properly, it would have determined that the limestone should be sold instead of given away free of charge to W.R. Henderson," said Roger Featherstone, Southwest Circuit Rider for EARTHWORKS. "The BLM is shortchanging the public by using the wrong set of regulations to approve this mine."

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For More Information

Contact:

• Mary Kidwell, Empire-Fagan Coalition, (520) 490-3193
• Roger Featherstone, EARTHWORKS, (520) 884-5415