Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Antelope Valley, introduced Senate Bill 57, which would compel CEMEX to go through the state public appeals process if the federal government determines the company can go forward with its mega-mine plan in Soledad Canyon.
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“The proposed CEMEX mega-mine would be one of the largest aggregate mines in the nation,” said Wilk. “The mine would devastate our air and water quality and choke the 14 freeway.”
CEMEX’s proposed project, a 56 million ton sand and gravel mine, has been in development for decades. Senate Bill 57 would reopen public comment on the permitting application for the project’s water supply.
Mine operators with the project have applied for permits through the California State Water Resources Control Board to collect about 105 million gallons of water annually for use in their operations from the Santa Clarita River.
Get live news updates about Santa Clarita by following KHTS on Facebook and KHTS on TwitterThis bill would give those affected by this project to have a voice in whether to approve these water permits, according to Wilk.
CEMEX is currently awaiting a decision by the federal Department of the Interior as to whether the project can move forward as CEMEX has appealed previous decisions by the federal government to that agency.
Federal law takes over state law, so there is little state government can do to stop the project, but state agencies could require mitigations that can protect the environment and the health and overall quality of life of residents.
“Despite the magnitude of the project of the public has been without an opportunity for input in over 25 years,” said Wilk. “SB 57 will guarantee the public has an opportunity to weigh in with regulators on this ill-conceived proposal.”
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