The Empire-Fagan Coalition

Federal Government Weighs In On Davidson Canyon

empirefagan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:05:56 +0000

In a move that is sure to miff multinational mining and cement giant Arizona California Portland Cement Company (CalPortland), both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have called upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an escalation in the review of CalPortland’s application to build a haul road through the middle of Davidson Canyon.

CalPortland’s application to dig pits and a haul road spanning the protected canyon drew a public outcry in recent weeks. Led by The Empire-Fagan Coalition, over 200 governmental bodies, conservation groups, residential organizations, and concerned residents filed formal protests, contending that the proposed operations are not in the public interest, and that CalPortland has practicable alternatives.

The Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in his letter to the Army Corps of Engineers, went further, stating that “the proposed work described in this permit application will have substantial and unacceptable impacts on aquatic resources of regional and national importance.”

In a similar letter, the regional director of the EPA wrote “We respectfully reaffirm our objections to permit approval for the Empire Mountain Limestone Quarries.” The EPA letter cites Davidson Canyon as “a rare, spring-fed low elevation desert stream, supporting a variety of rare flora and fauna.” They also note the Canyon’s recent designation as an “Outstanding Water of Arizona,” which calls for “the highest level of protection”.

Resources About This Story
The EPA Letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Fish and Wildlife Letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
A Brochure Describing ARNI

County Confirms CalPortland Violations

empirefagan — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:52:37 +0000

With just a few permits already granted, the Community already has a preview of how CalPortland might operate, were their operations to begin in Davidson Canyon. On Friday, September 4th, Pima County Flood Control inspectors found several significant deviations from the permit granted for preliminary site preparation.

Empire-Fagan Coalition members have for months been warning that it seemed that CalPortland was taking liberties in this critically-important canyon wash. After EFC members presented their concerns to the Board of Supervisors on September 1st, Chairman Elias ordered the county inspection.

Town Hall / Comment Period Extended

empirefagan — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 07:54:36 +0000

They Look Nice, But They Bite!

Over 110 engaged and energized citizens packed the Corona de Tucson Firehouse this past Wednesday in a community-wide effort to stop CalPortland in their tracks.

Members of local government, all major conservation organizations, and the Tohono O’Odham nation were on hand to hear presentations, chime in, and lend perspectives.

Speakers: Gayle Hartman, Ray Carroll, Roger Featherstone

Over 30 new comment emails were sent on the spot by concerned residents who object to CalPortland’s plan for two open-pit quarries in Davidson Canyon. In a sign that the issue is building momentum, all 4 major networks were on hand to interview residents.

Claire Zucker from PAG explains the complexities of hydrology

Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers has extended the public comment period by one calendar week. All public comments must be received by 5 pm September 11th.

For address and commenting guidelines, please see this Guidelines for 404 Letters.

The Battle for Davidson Canyon Heats Up

empirefagan — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:21:08 +0000

[Tucson, August 6, 2009] In a much-anticipated development, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened a public comment period today in response to CalPortland Cement’s application to build a haul road across Davidson Canyon. [download the complete public notice here].

Local residents, conservation organizations, governmental and public safety offices are mobilizing in an all-out effort to demonstrate to the Army Corps of Engineers that this proposed project is not in the public interest.

In a multi-pronged response, the Empire-Fagan Coalition today:

Announced a Town Hall Meeting for Wednesday, August 26th, to focus public opposition to CalPortland’s application,
Announced the launch of EFCbase, an online searchable database of over five years of documents related to the CalPortland leases,
Began facilitating the coordinated response of over 40 governmental agencies, conservation, residential, and public safety entities, who have publicly come out against the incursions into Davidson Canyon.

On Monday, August 10th, EFC will publish guidelines for public comment and response to the CalPortland application. All interested parties are urged to begin drafting their comments in letter form, and to visit this web site on Monday for detailed suggestions and tips for effective comments.

Not In the Public Interest: Bad Water

empirefagan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:20:46 +0000

CalPortland’s heavy machinery is rumbling along Davidson Canyon, an ecological gem that features perennial springs, abundant wildlife, and cultural artifacts. To the south, an audacious plan by Augusta Resources to dump copper mining tailings in our National Forest is actually being discussed in the halls of government as if the idea deserves some consideration.

Sandwiched between these two proposed “projects” is a huge chunk of the Pantano – Rillito Watershed, which is responsible for up to 20% of the recharge for the Tucson water supply. HELLO! Did anyone say WATER!!??

The Empire-Fagan Coalition and Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, are united in a struggle that pits local residents against foreign owned mining corporations. Reading through these entities’ “Plan of Operations”, one thing is clear: it is all about maximizing profits. Period.

Our Coalition feels that our water, our desert, our way of life, is in eminent danger. Join us in the fight. Sign up for our emails (see the ACTION tab), and help us when official comment periods begin. If you can write, you can make a difference.

Action Required: CalPortland Submits 404 Application

empirefagan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:19:18 +0000

A critical development requires immediate action from all Empire-Fagan members and allies.

CalPortland has submitted an application for a 404 permit, which is required by the Clean Water Act in order for CalPortland to build a haul road across Davidson Canyon. We urge all members and allies to write to the Army Corps of Engineers immediately.

Please click on the ACTION tab above for details on how you can help.

Water Day: New Friends & Stronger Alliances

empirefagan — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:08:39 +0000

Ray Carroll speaking at the kickoff in Presidio Park.

Looking around Water Day, you might have seen some of “the usual suspects.” But if there was any one theme for the day, it was undoubtedly new blood or new alliances. Many of the volunteers were relatively new to the cause — a brilliant development, as the Coalition enters a critical phase in the battle for Davidson Canyon. The Water Ambassadors, stationed on upper and lower Highway 83, lured thirsty victims into our cause. These teams were composed of both SSSR AND EFC volunteers, and this proved to be a great opportunity to forge ties between the two sister organizations.

Water Ambassadors by Davidson Canyon

Water Ambassadors by Rosemont

The turnout was smaller than expected for the parade, but web statistics showed a 600% increase in visits to our web site on the days leading up to June 1st. So our objective of focusing public attention on the issues seems to have been met. The rallys and kickoffs were festive, with a compelling speech by Genevieve Patterson in the morning, along with Roger Featherstone and the Declaration by Ray Carroll. [see the text of the declaration here]

In the evening, the Water Parade was anchored by the entire Federoff family. Lucky bystanders could catch a fleeting glimpse of the Water Queen of Davidson Canyon (aka Cherry Rosenberg) riding with her consort in the Water Chariot.

The Water Parade

The Water Queen at the Rally

Water Day 2009

empirefagan — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:12:28 +0000

Official Schedule of Events with Locations

Water Day 2009 is a collection of activities designed to focus public attention on the critical role that the Davidson Canyon / Las Cienegas watershed plays in our ecology.

This fragile and indispensable network of streams, riparian zones, and canyons runs from the Rosemont area in the Santa Rita Mountains, through Davidson Canyon, and into Las CIenegas Preserve, eventually recharging the city of Tucson’s water supply.

With the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine (in the Santa Rita foothills) and the proposed limestone quarries on State Land spanning both sides of Davidson Canyon, this critical watershed is facing great peril. Water day organizers ask all citizens to take immediate action to protect this watershed.

For more details and a schedule of events please click here.

CalPortland Plans Contain Hidden Costs

empirefagan — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:42:05 +0000

Local residents have long contended that the proposed CalPortland quarries would cause irreparable damage to biologically-sensitive Davidson Canyon and put the local water at risk. However, community leaders are starting to raise red flags regarding the hidden social costs that the community — not CalPortland — would ultimately bear.

For instance, who will bear the safety burden of the 25-ton mining trucks that would share the same narrow roads with Vail school buses? Who would ultimately shoulder the burden of clean-up, if the company’s proposed 12-hour cleanup operation cannot erase the scars of 15 years and 7 million tons of mining? And these are just the costs that impact the immediate community.

Sandy Whitehouse, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Corona de Tucson Fire District, paints an even bleaker picture when it comes to emergency services. Even though the Corona de Tucson Fire District’s boundaries are more than 7 miles from the proposed quarry site, Mrs. Whitehouse insists that her department will be compelled to respond to mining-related incidents outside of her jurisdiction. “Our men and women will have a moral duty to act”, explained Mrs. Whitehouse in a recent interview.

With a loss of greater than $1 million in assessed values on her District’s 2008-09 tax base, Chairman Whitehouse fears that local emergency services will face a moral and financial dilemma which ultimately results in a rationing of emergency care.

The bottom line: CalPortland would continue to extract their subsidized product, from State Trust Land. And the Empire-Fagan community, not CalPortland and certainly not Phoenix, would pay the price.

Army Corps of Engineers Calls for Review

empirefagan — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:24:04 +0000

In a tactical victory for the Coalition, the Army Corps of Engineers has called for an individual 404 permit from the Arizona Cal Portland Cement Company (CalPortland) regarding its plans for Davidson Canyon.

A letter from the Corps of Engineers to ACP states, in part, “Concerning the proposed Empire Mountain quarries, the Corps believes sufficient concerns for the environment exist based on the presence of a National Register-eligible cultural site, the proximity of the site to known roosting sites of the endangered lesser long-nosed bat (Lepfonycteris curaboaeyerbnbuenae) and the presence of foraging habitat on the site which will be impacted by mine activities, the proposed impacts to Davidson Canyon Wash which has recently been determined by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to be an Arizona “Outstanding Water” immediately downstream of the proposed project area, and other impacts typically associated with mining activities. In addition, the Corps has received numerous letters, e-mails, and telephone calls from the public regarding this proposed mine. Finally, the Corps is concerned with cumulative impacts to the Davidson Canyon watershed from this proposed activity and other proposed projects in the area. We believe a public interest review would better allow us to evaluate the project to determine whether this proposed project is contrary to the public interest. “