Copper Mining Project Threatens Area Near Tucson, Arizona
Environment, Petitions — By Kelly Hamilton on January 27, 2012 9:23 amTarget: Brian Moore, Deputy Project Management of the Army Corps of Engineers—South Pacific Division
Goal: Stop Rosemont Copper’s plan to commence mining at the Rosemont Mine site, and ensure the protection of the land, water sources, and vulnerable animal populations in the area.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently decided to review plans of a proposed copper mining operation intended for the Tucson, Arizona, area. The agency is not ready to grant approval to a federal permit submitted by Rosemont Copper, the company looking to start activities at the Rosemont Mine site. In a letter from the EPA, sent to the Army Corps of Engineers, concerns were raised about the possible negative impacts the mining operation will have on the environment—threatening to harm the land, waterways, and at least seven threatened species of animals that live in the area.
The Army Corps of Engineers generally has the final say-so on allowing permits like these to pass under the Clean Water Act; however, the EPA has authority to veto a decision made by the corps. It is with this in mind that that the EPA has decided to launch an extensive review of the mining plans—which can take anywhere between 6 months to a year to complete. “At this stage, there’s still a lot of questions to be answered—a lot of uncertainties,” explains Jason Brush, an EPA official in charge of managing these permits, which are known as 404 permits.
Rosemont Copper’s vice president of environmental and regulatory affairs, Kathy Arnold, looks forward to the insight of the review. “The whole thing is that our project is moving forward and we’ll be working with the corps and EPA on things like mitigation and resources” Arnold clarifies. However, even this optimism is dampened by what the EPA has already churned out: including what they describe as “reasonably foreseeable” threats that the mine could have to any and all aspects of the habitat surrounding the area.
With so much anticipatory dangers facing this mine, it is no wonder that both activists and politicians (U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords fears that “the mine would threaten irreplaceable natural resources”) are opposed to it. In order to effectively ensure the best for the Rosemont site, and the nearby Santa Rita Mountains, the permit to mine must not be accepted.
There is no doubt that jobs (and where to get jobs) are on the minds of many Americans all across the country. While the idea of finding and making new jobs is important, the cost at which it comes is equally important to evaluate. A recent bid by Rosemont Copper to begin operations at the Rosemont Mine site near Tucson, Arizona, has posed a threat to the animals and environment in its direct vicinity.
Looking into the matter, the Environmental Protection Agency has placed a hold on the permit pending further review by the department. The Rosemont mining site is seen as a direct threat by many, including (now former) U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords who stated that the “mine would threaten irreplaceable natural resources.”
With too much to lose, I urge you to consider the voices of those concerned and not grant access of this area to a mining company. Animal species will suffer, the waterways will suffer, and the people depending on the area will suffer, as well.
Sincerely,
[Your name will go here]
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