HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2007-212 opposition to development of the rosemont mineMARANA RESOLUTION NO. 2007-212
RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT; OPPOSITION TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE
ROSEMONT MINE IN THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS.
WHEREAS Augusta Resource Corporation submitted a draft plan of operations to the
U.S. Forest Service on July 31, 2006 to develop the Rosemont Mine on private and Forest
Service managed public land within the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson; and
WHEREAS a recent study of 70 Environmental Impact Statements for modem-era hard
rock mines found that water quality impacts from hard rock mines are consistently
underestimated and therefore the mitigation is consistently inadequate; and
WHEREAS water quality impacts to Davidson Canyon and Cienega Creek would be
detrimental to rare riparian habitat along the creeks, the endangered species within the creeks,
and the high quality water supply to the Tucson Basin; and
WHEREAS the typical legacy left behind from prior and existing mines places undue
costs and adverse impacts on the tax payers of Pima County with few local tax benefits; and
WHEREAS recent studies show that while the economic impact of the mining industry
continues to decline in Pima County, the economic impact of recreation has climbed
substantially; and
WHEREAS the building and operation of a large open pit mine in the Santa Rita
Mountains will impact recreation opportunities and jobs; and
WHEREAS the information Augusta Resource Company has provided to the public to
date leaves many questions outlined by Pima County to address the negative impacts associated
with the proposed Rosemont Mine.
WHEREAS the Pima County Board of Supervisors passed Resolution 2007-15
expressing its opposition to the proposed mine.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF MARANA, ARIZONA THAT:
Section 1. The Town of Marana expresses its opposition to Augusta Resource
Corporation's proposed Rosemont Mine.
Section 2. The Town of Marana hereby supports the withdrawal of all Pima County
natural reserve parks from mineral entry, as well as Federal lands included in National Parks,
Monuments, and Forests within Pima County.
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Section 3. The Town of Marana hereby supports the acquisition of these lands
(Rosemont) for conservation purposes with National Forest Federal Land and Water
Conservation Funds.
Section 4. The Town of Marana requests the Arizona Congressional Delegation initiate
the permanent withdrawal from mining and mineral exploration all federal lands within Pima
County in the Santa Rita Mountains area of the Coronado National Forest.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
MARANA, ARIZONA, this 4th day of December, 2007.
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Mayor Ed Honvea
ATTEST:
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APPROV, ED AS TO FORM: J
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Town Attorney
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