Save the Scenic Santa Ritas

Fighting to protect the Santa Rita and Patagonia Mountains from the devastating impacts of mining.

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Wildlife and Habitat

Biological Resources

Corresponding page numbers in the DEIS:
Summary of Impacts: pp. 349-415; Environmental Consequences: pp. 385-415

The proposed action would result in the direct loss or conversion of 6,380 to 6,461 acres of habitat and may indirectly impact up to 145,190 acres, which may have the potential to impact animal behavior. For the majority of the species, the impact is not expected to have far-reaching consequences for population viability. However, because of the magnitude, intensity, length, and around-the-clock timing of the project, all special status plants and animals that occur in the area are expected to be impacted.

Some species would be directly and indirectly impacted, including nine species federally listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (Chiricahua leopard frog, Gila chub, Gila topminnow, Huachuca water umbel, jaguar, lesser long-nosed bat, ocelot, Pima pineapple cactus, and southwestern willow flycatcher) and four species federally listed as candidate under the Endangered Species Act (desert tortoise, northern Mexican gartersnake, Rosemont talussnail, and western yellow-billed cuckoo). For two special status plant species (beardless chinchweed and Coleman’s coral-root), all action alternatives may result in a downward trend toward Federal listing as threatened or endangered or in a loss of population viability. For 7 special status plant and 13 special status animal species, all action alternatives may impact individuals of these species but are not likely to result in a downward trend toward Federal listing as threatened or endangered or in a loss of population viability of these species.

There would be significant vegetation losses and changes in the area, resulting in a decrease in nesting, overwintering, foraging, and roosting habitat for dozens of species of migratory and resident birds. Every species currently occupying the area would potentially experience a reduction in individuals and population size.

Current activities such as livestock grazing, combined with the proposed project, would cumulatively contribute to a general loss of native grassland and woodland habitats; noise, air, and light pollution; and degradation of riparian habitats.

An unknown number of acres of animal movement corridors and linkage areas would potentially be impacted, including the potential to: (1) modify and/or fragment animal movements between mountain ranges; (2) reduce local connectivity between habitats; (3) increase animal roadkills from the transportation system and increased traffic; and (4) result in a loss of genetic flow.

The alteration of surface and subsurface hydrology from the pit and other mining related operations may result in the loss of riparian habitat and the fragmentation of riparian habitat and corridors.

Riparian habitat that could be affected includes 490 acres of hydroriparian or mesoriparian habitat along Cienega Creek, 471 acres of xeroriparian habitat along Davidson Canyon, up to 204 acres of mesoriparian habitat along Davidson Canyon, 58 acres of hydroriparian or mesoriparian habitat along Empire Gulch, and 140 acres of hydroriparian or mesoriparian habitat along Gardner Canyon.

Recent Posts

  • THE HOT TOPIC: WATER OR LACK THEREOF January 24, 2023
  • Hudbay ramps up excavation for Copper World Complex as local resistance continues and expands January 7, 2023
  • Meet The Man Who Shoots At Birds All Day To Keep Them Off A Toxic Pit | World Wide Waste (video) January 5, 2023
  • Lithium America Mine Project Hampered After Judge Schedules Hearing on Nevada Mine January 5, 2023
  • Thousands Will Live Here One Day (as Long as They Can Find Water) January 5, 2023
  • Latest Updates About Local Water Issues and Rosemont / Copper World Mine Complex January 5, 2023
  • Hudbay, Forest Service won’t appeal ruling blocking Rosemont Mine December 19, 2022
  • Letter: Proposed New Mines in Santa Ritas November 28, 2022
  • Wells are running dry in drought-weary Southwest as foreign-owned farms guzzle water to feed cattle overseas November 28, 2022
  • Annual pulses of copper-enriched sediment in a North American river downstream of a large lake following the catastrophic failure of a mine tailings storage facility November 28, 2022

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Rosemont/ Copper World Mine Complex News

THE HOT TOPIC: WATER OR LACK THEREOF

Hudbay ramps up excavation for Copper World Complex as local resistance continues and expands

Meet The Man Who Shoots At Birds All Day To Keep Them Off A Toxic Pit | World Wide Waste (video)

Lithium America Mine Project Hampered After Judge Schedules Hearing on Nevada Mine

More Posts from this Category

Copper World Flyover January 6, 2023 by David Steele

Another shocking sight of the incredible destruction happening on our beautiful Santa Ritas.WATCH VIDEO NOW

Russ McSpadden’s recent fly-over showing mine activity

In Nov 2022 Russ captured recent bulldozing in the Santa Rita Mountains. His video starts over the Rosemont mine project on the east side and then swings over the Copper World project on the west side. WATCH VIDEO NOW

Explore the proposed Rosemont and Copper World projects virtually

Check out Pima County’s updated map of the proposed mine site. Click on any spot on the map for ownership/status information. Mapping details are based on Hudbay’s PEA dated May 1.

Proposed Rosemont/ Copper World Mine Complex

Image compilation of the area

LENS ON THE LAND

October 2022 Powerpoint Presentation

Click here to download (PDF)

Litigation Update

There have been two recent judicial rulings on the Rosemont Copper Company projects — one favorable and one unfavorable.

Click here to learn more

The latest on Hudbay’s Copper World project in the Santa Rita Mountains

Click here to download (PDF)

Where is the Rosemont/Copper World Mine Complex?

Click here for directions

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