Take Action! Make a Difference!
Join our Email Alert List!Click on the above link to take you to our form to sign up to receive news and alerts via email from SSSR.
Additionally, if you have time and can help, we need volunteers! We need help tabling at community events, tracking new mining activities, keeping in touch with the Forest Service, writing letters to the editor of local newspapers, contacting local officials, and more! If you can help, please fill out our Volunteer Signup Form or email Lisa and let her know how you can help!
Write Letters!
Write to the Forest Service and the USDA and tell them how you feel about the proposed mine. They will ultimately decide whether or not to allow the Rosemont mine. As stewards of our public land, they want (and need) to hear from you, and will weigh public comments and opinions in their final decision.
For contact information, download our Citizen's Action Handout.
Participate in the public NEPA process on the Rosemont Mine
The Forest Service is currently analyzing the impacts from the proposed Rosemont Mine through the NEPA Process. The scoping period is over, and the next opportunity for public input and review will be the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Go to our Scoping page to learn more about this process.
Stay informed of what the Forest Service is doing! This website has all the latest information on the progress of the DEIS.
New Coronado National Forest Website on the Rosemont EIS process
Coronado National Forest website on the Rosemont Mine
Link to Public Comments from Scoping open houses and public hearings
For more information call the Coronado National Forest Supervisor's Office anytime at 520-388-8300. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but messages may be left after hours and they will call you back when the office opens.
If you have question about the proposed Rosemont Copper Project, please call Mr. John Able directly at 520-388-8322 . Email John at jable@fs.fed.us .
Contact the Coronado National Forest to get on the mailing list for all actions concerning mining or mineral exploration in the Santa Rita Mountains or the Patagonia Mountains, Canelo Hills and San Rafael Valley. You will be informed of all public comment opportunities for the Rosemont Mine and mines in Eastern Santa Cruz County.
Coronado National Forest
300 W. Congress St.
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-388-8300
Augusta Resource Inc. (Rosemont Copper) the Canadian company hoping to develop this project, has been increasingly trying to convince people that approval of the mine is a done deal. But it is not a done deal!
August has repeatedly expressed confidence that the proposed mine is on track for business in 2010. It's hard to imagine that this is an accurate picture considering that at this point the mine continues to have widespread, bi-partisan opposition, and no guaranteed sources for water or power.
The copper industry as a whole is not a stable industry. The boom/bust nature of this industry creates a volatile environment for communities and does not provide long-term, sustainable jobs.
The Santa Rita Mountains area has an economy largely driven by outdoor recreation and tourism, and the mine's negative effects on these revenue sources would be the most significant cost. As demonstrated by a Sonoran Institute study, this mine will clearly have negative impacts on the regional economy. Revenues from recreation and tourism are much larger economic contributors. They generated an estimated $2.95 billion in 2006. If first priority is given to the mining operation, Southern Arizona loses.
But, the impacts of the proposed Rosemont Mine go far deeper than the pit that would be created. It will change the lives for the worse for thousands of people who value the natural resources and lifestyle of Southern Arizona.
BACKGROUND
The Rosemont Valley, in the Santa Rita Mountains, is the proposed site for an extensive and devastating open pit copper mine. Recently, Augusta Resource has been mentioning additional ore bodies that may be mined north and west of Rosemont. Their map shows these ore bodies straddle the ridge line or are on the Green Valley (western) side of the Santa Ritas.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, the City of Tucson, Marana Town Council, Sahuarita Town Council, and the Oro Valley Board of Supervisors have passed resolutions opposing a mine at Rosemont. Many of them have also requested the Arizona Congressional Delegation to initiate the permanent withdrawal of federal lands within the Coronado National Forest from mineral exploration and extraction.
The Patagonia Mountains are threatened by six possible open pit mines at Hardshell, Four Metals, Providencia, Italian Canyon, Patagonia Jewel, and TM. (see photos of these sites)Write Letters to the Editor
Please write letters to the Editor to show that you ardently oppose new mining in southeastern Arizona. Include in your letters why these areas are important to you and talk about the things you like to do in the Santa Rita or Patagonia Mountains. You may also want to include any of the following reasons that mean the most to you.
- negative impact on the local tourism based economy
- noise pollution, air pollution and water contamination
- increased truck traffic on local roads and highways
- destruction of wildlife habitat, wildlife movement corridors, native plants and ecosystems
- elimination or restriction of biking, hiking, hunting, camping, and bird watching
- irreparable devastation of the scenic landscapes and viewsheds
Go to the Potential Impacts or Issues page for more points to make in your letters. Please take a few minutes to write a letter and make a difference!
| Arizona Daily Star P.O. Box 26807, Tucson, AZ 85726-6807 letters@azstarnet.com Maximum length of letter is 150 words. Tucson Citizen |
Tucson Weekly Green Valley News Nogales International |
Tucson Electric Power Transmission Line for Rosemont Mine:
TEP is in the preliminary stages of planning for the construction and operation of new electrical transmission facilities to serve the proposed Rosemont Copper Company (Rosemont) operations. The power delivery requirements will necessitate expansion of the existing electrical system in the area, including construction of a new 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line, a new substation at the Rosemont facilities, and upgrades to an existing substation. The transmission line is expected to be in service by early 2011.
* Please visit http://www.tep.com/Company/News/Rosemont/index.asp for more information.
CAP pipeline Draft EA:
The Bureau of Reclamation is issuing the subject draft environmental assessment, on the proposed Augusta Resource - CWCGV (Community Water Company Green Valley) CAP Water Distribution System and Recharge Facility (Proposed Project), for public review and comment. This EA has been prepared to describe and assess the environmental consequences that may result from construction and operation of the proposed project to take and use its CAP entitlement of 2,858 acre-feet per year. A copy of the draft EA can be found at: http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/reports/capcwc/cwcdea.pdf
Endorse SSSR!
Have your group or business Endorse SSSR to show your support!
Print out our Endorsement form and mail it back to us!
Support Mineral Withdrawal!
Contact our U.S. Senators and Congresspeople to let them know you support Representative Grijalva's Mineral Withdrawal bill for the Forest Service lands in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. You can also download the map that accompanies the bill. Go to the Contacts section below for their addresses.
Support Mining Law Reform
Go to Earthworks Mining Reform page for the latest information.
Support Congressman Rahall's bill that would reform the 1872 Mining Law to protect communities, taxpayers and the environment from the destructive impacts of mining.
More info on the 1872 Mining Law and Reform
Important Contact Information
Arizona's U.S. Congressional Senators and Representatives
Arizona's State House and Senate members
Congressman Ed Pastor (AZ-4)
411 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-256-0551
http://www.house.gov/pastorCongressman Harry Mitchell (AZ-5)
7201 E. Camelback Road Suite 335
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-946-2411
http://mitchell.house.govCongressman Raul Grijalva (AZ-7)
810 E 22nd Street Suite 102
Tucson, AZ 85713
520-622-6788
Fax: 520-622-0198
http://www.house.gov/grijalvaCongresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-8)
1661 North Swan
Suite 112
Tucson, AZ 85712
Phone:(520) 881-3588
Fax: (520) 322-9490
http://giffords.house.govThe Honorable Jan Brewer
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Telephone (602) 542-4331
Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883
http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.aspContact information for all AZ Congressional Senators & Representatives:
http://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster.asp
Click here for 10 more ways to help us stop the Rosemont Mine!
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better,
it's not."
The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
