Ed. Note: This is a breaking news story an more information will be added as it’s available.
Federal BLM officials sent a letter Monday withdrawing support for Cemex to mine Soledad Canyon.
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The Bureau of Land Management’s 2000 approval was conditional upon “significant conditions,” according to federal officials Monday.
“It’s unclear how, or if, this development can proceed,” officials stated in a letter to Cemex dated Friday.
The letter seems to indicate the federal government, i.e. the Bureau of Land Management, has reversed its position, based on new information, a city official said Monday.
“What this letter says to us is that the BLM finally agrees with the city,” said Mike Murphy, intergovernmental relations officer for Santa Clarita, “that siting this mine in Soledad Canyon is not a good idea.”
The federal government previously opposed a legislative deal struck at the congressional level that would have compensated the mining company with land in Victorville, if the company agreed to give its two 10-year contracts for mineral rights in Soledad Canyon.
“The city is very appreciative of our legislative delegation that continues to work so hard on this issue for us,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Bob Kellar, who’s also been working on the issue for a number of years.
The federal government cited a need for aggregate, as well as concern over the precedent of selling federal land to compensate a private company as previous reasons for its objection.
Exactly what it means for the future of Soledad Canyon mining is unclear at this time, officials said.
However, the letter represents a drastic shift in federal policy toward the mine site, noting significant changes to the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas since the contracts were first approved around the turn of the century.
“It’s the BLM’s assessment that Cemex has not completed the necessary consultations and has not obtained all of the necessary approvals and permits to begin operations,” in a letter signed by James G. Kenna, state director for the Bureau of Land Management.
“Second, Cemex must comply with the Mitigation and Monitoring Program… ” the letter continued, and “… failed to exercise due diligence in fulfilling the terms of its two mineral sales contact.”
The letter continues that conditions have changed since the original permits were granted, officials said.
“With the administration’s announcement, the equation has changed,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California. “It is clear there is broad agreement that Cemex should not mine in this populated area.”
Since the federal government initially sold the rights to mine Soledad Canyon — on land the city has since bought the surface rights to — there have been several changes: Traffic loads have changed; the San Gabriel National Monument, which is adjacent to the mining site, was designated in 2014; the environmental documents and any permits would no longer be valid; and the opposition to the mine has grown stronger as Santa Clarita’s population has grown.
Additionally, during the past 14 years, the BLM has supported Cemex in litigation and done nothing to stand in Cemex’s way, according to Kenna’s letter.
Due to all these circumstances, Cemex’s position in negotiations should be reconsidered, according to federal officials.
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HOORAY FOR CANYON COUNTRY county residents. Do you think they could look into Chiquita Canyon Landfill?
How can some one buy land that has been patented?
Fantastic news. Let’s send James G. Kenna a fresh bouquet of wildflowers from Soledad Canyon.
So glad to hear this. There is hope. Such a mine would be disastrous for the SCV. As a resident of over 20 years, I appreciate the beauty and serenity of SCV. Many thanks to those that continue to oppose this mining venture.
This is very foreboding for our City. For one thing, contrary to claims by the Fried Guy, we actually need the aggregate. For another, sourcing the material locally would create a lot of jobs and be better for the environment compared to hauling it all from Palmdale as we currently do. Lastly, the so-called ill effects which are feared from this mine are greatly exaggerated. I am in this business and know the issues well. I am also a father of two children under the age of 3 and would never support opening this mine if it were harmful. Every other aggregate mine in our region that I know of, and there are many, is much CLOSER to homes and schools than Soledad Canyon.
For example, the Curtis sand and gravel facility, aka the massive rubble pile next to the freeway, is really close to homes. Yet I don’t see our City spending a dime, let alone $12 million dollars, doing a damn thing about that.