Feb 10, 2014 | Blog
By Wendy Russell
News on the Patagonia mining exploration proposals and more happenings in the Coronado National Forest.
Appeal Process for FS Decision On Regal Resources Expected to Begin
In January, the Forest Service (FS) was slated to issue a Categorical Exclusion (CE) decision for Regal’s exploratory mineral drilling proposal in Humboldt Canyon in the Patagonia Mountains. This would indicate that the FS considers their proposal to be “without significant environmental impacts.”
In the past, a CE decision would allow a company to proceed with their proposed project immediately. However, the FS now offers an administrative appeal process for projects given a CE Decision. Anyone who commented on Regal’s Sunnyside proposal during the initial scoping comment period is entitled to participate in the appeal process. Once the decision is issued, the FS will publish a notice in the Nogales International newspaper, which starts a 45-day window within which to file an appeal to the FS.
PARA plans to assist folks in submitting objections during the appeal process. We will post the workshop date in our Newsletter, Events Calendar, and on our social media sites. Jenny Neeley, former Conservation Policy Director & Legal Counsel for Sky Island Alliance, will be leading that workshop.
In an update from Coronado National Forest Sierra Vista District Ranger Mark Ruggiero, there’s been a delay in issuing the CE Decision for Regal Resources because the mining company is supposedly experiencing financial difficulties.
Release of Wildcat’s Draft EA Anticipated
In another ongoing NEPA process in the Patagonia Mountains, the release of a Draft Environmental Assessment for AZ Mining Inc / Wildcat Silver’s Hermosa exploration proposal is also anticipated. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires a “detailed statement” on the impacts of any proposed action that may “significantly affect the quality of the human environment.” Projects with anticipated environmental impacts get classified by NEPA as either requiring an “Environmental Assessment” or an “Environmental Impact Statement.” An Environmental Assessment (EA) is a brief analysis used to determine the significance of impacts resulting from a proposal. The EA is first released in draft form for public review and comment.
Coronado National Forest Sierra Vista District Ranger Mark Ruggiero issued a letter on December 18, 2013, announcing the anticipated Draft Environmental Assessment for the AZ Mining Inc (Wildcat Silver / Arizona Minerals) Hermosa Plan. Its release will trigger a 30-day public comment period before a final decision is issued. The letter also reported that in response to numerous comments received during the first scoping period, revision was made to the Hermosa Plan of Operation (Plan) “in order to reduce identified conflicts as to cultural resources.” The revised Plan is available on the Hermosa Drilling Project page on the Forest Service website: www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa _project_exp.php?project =41158. The changes are summarized in Appendix G.
If you have further questions about the Hermosa Plan, contact Margie B. DeRose, Geologist/Hermosa Project Manager, Coronado National Forest at (520) 388-8341 or mbderose@fs.fed.us.
Tell the Coronado National Forest that a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary when considering AZ Mining Inc (Wildcat Silver / Arizona Minerals) proposed Hermosa mineral drilling exploration project. Sign Petition here!
PARA is mobilizing community members to respond to the Hermosa Draft EA comment period. We will post the workshop date in our newsletter, Events Calendar, and on our social media sites. Jenny Neeley, former Conservation Policy Director & Legal Counsel for Sky Island Alliance, will be leading the workshop.
Objection Period for Rosemont FEIS Ends February 14
The Forest Service has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine Plan. In a new procedure for the Forest Service, an objection period is now available on the FEIS only for those parties who previously submitted scoping comments on Rosemont. The objection period started January 1 and is scheduled to end February 14.
Objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail, fax, email, hand-delivery, express delivery, or messenger service (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays). Send to: Reviewing Officer, Southwest Region, 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM. 87102; by FAX to (520) 842-3173 or email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@fs.fed.us. For more information, contact Mindy Sue Vogel, Coronado National Forest, 300 W. Congress, Tucson, AZ, 520.388.8327, msvogel@fs.fed.us
Rosemont is now proposing a high volume of traffic through Patagonia. Rosemont’s FEIS now has added delivery routes for copper concentrate to Guaymas, Mexico. Highway 82 from Sonoita to Nogales is slated to be one of the delivery routes of copper concentrates from the proposed Rosemont mine. Trucks could be expected to make up to 56 round trips per day through Patagonia.
New Forest Management Plan in the Works
The Coronado National Forest (CNF) has prepared a Draft Land and Resource Management Plan, to update the current management plan, which was written in 1986. The public review period has already started, with deadline to comment on February 20, 2014.
UPDATE: The Forest Service has announced an extension of the public comment period. It has been extended an additional 14 days ending on March 6, 2014.
The Draft Forest Plan can be found on the Forest Service website: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coronado/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fswdev7_018673. If you have questions or would like more information, please call the CNF office at 520-388-8300. Tell the receptionist you want to speak to someone about Plan Revision. You will be connected with one of the Plan Revision Core Team member.
Comments can be submitted via: Coronado Forest Plan Revision P.O. Box 1919 Sacramento, CA 95812, by fax (916) 456-6724 (Subject: Coronado National Forest, Plan Revision); or by email to CoronadoNF@fscom-ments.org (Subject: Coronado National Forest, Plan Revision).
Area conservation organizations have formed working partnerships in order to effect management recommendations to the new Forest Plan. The Coronado Planning Partnership (CPP) formed in 2006 in response to the Coronado National Forest initiating revision of its Forest Plan. The Partnership includes nearly 40 groups and landowners devoted to influencing and overseeing the new Forest Plan. Their mission includes promoting “the protection of wild species, their habitats, and ecological communities, as well as the processes that sustain them, on the Coronado National Forest.” The Partnership has released a report, State of the Coronado National Forest: An Assessment and Recommendations for the 21st Century, that they encourage the public to use to formulate their own comments on the Draft Forest Plan. It can be found on their website: www.skyislandaction.org/state_of_coronado.html.
CPP member, the Arizona Wilderness Coalition, is holding two meeting to encourage folks to comment on the Draft Forest Plan on February 6, 5-7pm, at the Martha Cooper Library 1337 N. Catalina Ave, Tucson and February 13, 6-8pm, at REI 160 W Wetmore Road, Tucson. Please check the CPP website for additional information: www.skyislandaction.org/cpp.html
Jan 27, 2014 | Blog
The Coronado National Forest is seeking comments on their Draft Land and Resource Management Plan. The Forest Plan is intended to guide forest management decisions for the next 10 to 15 years. The current management plan was written in 1986. The public review period has already started with deadline to comment on February 20, 2014.
UPDATE: The Forest Service has announced an extension of the public comment period. It has been extended an additional 14 days ending on March 6, 2014.
Area conservation organizations have formed a working partnership in order to effect management recommendations to the new Forest Plan. The Coronado Planning Partnership (CPP) formed in 2006 in response to the Coronado National Forest initiating revision of its Forest Plan. The Partnership includes nearly 40 groups and landowners devoted to influencing and overseeing the new Forest Plan. Their mission includes promoting “the protection of wild species, their habitats, and ecological communities, as well as the processes that sustain them, on the Coronado National Forest.” The Partnership has released a report, State of the Coronado National Forest: An Assessment and Recommendations for the 21st Century, that they encourage the public to use to formulate their own comments on the Draft Forest Plan. It can be found on their website: skyislandaction.org/state_of_coronado.html.
One issue raised by the CPP includes the effects of climate change on forest resources. Managing the Forest to protect watersheds and wildlife in a time of a rapidly changing climate should be top priority in the Forest planning process. The proposed mining activity in the Patagonia Mountains is a major stressor on watersheds and wildlife that would exacerbate the effects of climate change. Strategies for minimizing or mitigating the effects of mining should be written into the plan, with Standards to ensure that these strategies are followed.
Additional issues raised by the CPP regarding the draft Forest Plan that pertain to our area include the activities of Border Patrol. The Coronado National Forest needs to take a strong position that Border Patrol actions will be expected to go through a legitimate NEPA analysis. This position statement should be included in the new Forest Plan. The impacts of migration, interdiction, and Border Patrol infrastructure should be added to the Cumulative Effect analysis when looking at site specific projects in forest areas south of Interstate-10. This does not currently happen and is a major oversight.
CPP member organizations are hosting public meetings to encourage folks to comment on the Draft Forest Plan. Below is a list of meeting dates and times.
Tuesday, January 28th at 5:30pm. Location: TNC Ramsey Canyon Preserve, 27 Ramsey Canyon Road, Hereford (Sierra Vista area). Hosted by The Nature Conservancy. Contact Brooke Gebow for more information, 520-378-2785 or bgebow@tnc.org.
Thursday, February 6th at 5-7pm. Location: Martha Cooper Library, 1337 N. Catalina Ave, Tucson. Hosted by the Arizona Wilderness Coalition. Contact Barbara Hawke for more information, 520-326-4300 or barbara@azwild.org.
Thursday, February 6th at 3pm. Location: Fire House Classroom, Portal. Hosted by the Chiricahua Regional Council. Contact Helen Snyder for more information, 520-558-2413 or helensyder@vtc.net.
Thursday, February 13th at 6-8pm. Location: REI, 160 W Wetmore Road, Tucson. Hosted by the Arizona Wilderness Coalition. Contact Barbara Hawke for more information, 520-326-4300 or barbara@azwild.org.
The Draft Forest Plan can be found on the Forest Service website: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coronado/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fswdev7_018673
Public comments about the Draft Forest Plan can be submitted via: Coronado Forest Plan Revision P.O. Box 1919 Sacramento, CA 95812, by fax (916) 456-6724 (Subject: Coronado National Forest, Plan Revision); or by email to CoronadoNF@fscomments.org (Subject: Coronado National Forest, Plan Revision)
Aug 16, 2013 | Blog
Upcoming Forest Service Public Meeting in Patagonia
August 20th informational meeting on AZ Mining Inc / Wildcat Silver’s Hermosa mining exploration proposal.
The Coronado National Forest will host a public meeting on Tuesday, August 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Patagonia High School Cafeteria, 200 Naugle Avenue, Patagonia, AZ. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the proposed Hermosa Drilling Project including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review process. Forest staff will be available to answer questions.
Oral scoping comments will not be solicited nor accepted at the meeting.
Click for Overview of AZ Mining Inc / Wildcat Silver Hermosa Project |
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| Reminder: Today is the deadline for public comments on the Sunnyside mining exploration proposal in Humboldt Canyon.
Please include the project name (Sunnyside Project) in the subject line and email to:comments-southwestern-coronado@fs.fed.us
Please also share your comments with info@PatagoniaAlliance.org. Congressman Raul Grijalva is interested in reading our public comments on the floor of the US House of Representatives. We will forward your comments to his office. |
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| Write Comments on AZ Mining Inc / Wildcat Silver Hermosa Mining ProposalAugust 22nd, 4pm – 7pm
Open House
PARA and Sky Island Alliance are teaming up again to co-host a workshop on how to comment effectively on the AZ Mining Inc / Wildcat Silver Hermosa mining exploration proposal.
We’ll be at Cady Hall in Patagonia from 4pm to 7pm. Come anytime for information and instruction on how to comment. Refreshments will be served.
This is the public’s opportunity to comment to the Forest Service regarding all potential aspects of this mining exploration project and its potential impacts: water, impacts to both quality and quantity; air quality; wildlife and vegetation; soils; cultural and archaeological resources; visual and scenic values; dark skies/light pollution; recreation; pubic safety; transportation/roads; interaction of social and economic factors; cumulative impacts (those that increase in significance over time).
Click for more information.
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| Summary of Patagonia Town Council Meeting on August 14thThe community of Patagonia united to contribute to a meaningful and civil discussion regarding the Town of Patagonia Council agenda item: “Discussion of Support of AZ Mining Inc aka AZ Minerals [Wildcat Silver] Hermosa Drilling Project Plan of Operation.”
The theme often repeated was the inappropriateness of the Town voting to support a business at all. Issues ranged from the agenda item being beyond the legal scope of the Town Council’s duties to the likelihood that such a vote could alienate a portion of the community–and therefore the Town’s position should remain neutral.
One point made was that the only entity that would benefit from Town approval is AZ Mining Inc / Wildcat Silver in aiding its attempts to attract would-be investors. Also emphasized was the Town’s need to fully participate in the National Environmental Policy Act Scoping period in order to hold legal standing regarding any decisions made by the Forest Service on the Hermosa project.
Everyone agreed on the need for a water study. But the study proposed by Wildcat Silver is only to determine the hydrology surrounding their planned open pit mine. It will not give the Town critical information such as determining the flow rate of Harshaw Creek and Sonoita Creek which both supply water to our town wells. A water study conducted by an unbiased, third party would be far more valuable than any study presented to the Town by a mining company. |
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Charitable giving to the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance allows you to make a tangible difference by empowering us to continue our efforts to stop new mining activity in the Patagonia region.
Your donations also make it possible for us to organize community involvement and action so that we can protect the Patagonia Mountains, our water and our communities.
We are committed to our mission and grateful for your support. Click here to donate now.
PARA is a volunteer-based, non-profit, 501(c)(3)-pending organization, based in Patagonia, Arizona. All or part of your donation may be tax deductible as a charitable contribution. Please check with your tax advisor. |
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Aug 6, 2013 | Blog
By Wendy Russell
The Forest Service has re-opened the public comment period for the Regal Resources Sunnyside mining exploration project in Humboldt Canyon. This is the same project that had an earlier scoping period back in November 2011. According to the scoping notice from the Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista District Ranger Mark Ruggiero has “decided to offer another scoping period in conjunction with this formal comment period to ensure that public involvement is current and comprehensive.”
Regal Resources Inc. is a junior mining company based in Canada. Its property in the Patagonia Mountains consists of 295 claims on the Coronado National Forest totaling approximately 5,900 acres. The scoping notice states that the Sunnyside mining exploration project is for 6 exploratory drilling sites to collect core samples to assess potential copper mineralization in Humboldt Canyon. The operation would run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Water would be hauled in and access for the project would be from the town of Patagonia by way of Harshaw Road, aka National Forest System Roads 49 and 58. Access within the project area would be via NFSR 812 and 4685.
According to the scoping notice, “if you submitted comments in 2011 regarding the Sunnyside project, you MUST advise us [Forest Service] in writing that you would like your previous comments to be considered as responsive to the legal notice for eligibility to appeal the decision: you do not have to resubmit your comments.” If you did not receive the scoping notice and would like to receive that information from the Forest Service contact Patrick Morton, FS Geologist, at (520)388-8348 or pmorton@fs.fed.us.
Link to Scoping Notice for Sunnyside mining project
Link to Sunnyside project map
Link to Sunnyside Plan of Operation
Link to USFS project page for Regal Resource’s Sunnyside project in Humboldt Canyon.
The Patagonia Area Resource Alliance co-hosted a comment writing workshop with Sky Island Alliance on Thursday, August 1 at 6:30 PM in Cady Hall to assist folks who want to comment on the Sunnyside project. It is our only opportunity to get the Forest Service to examine all aspects of this mining exploration project that may concern us as local citizens who live and enjoy recreation around the Patagonia Mountains. Remember, you’re only eligible to challenge the decision rendered by the Forest Service regarding this exploratory drilling project if you submit a comment within the 30-day comment period. The estimated deadline for comments is August 10, 2013.
We will be posting comment suggestions and a template from that workshop.
If you wish to submit a comment:
Please include the project name (Sunnyside Project) in the subject line of your response and/or email.
Comments may be submitted as follows:
Email: comments-southwestern-coronado@fs.fed.us
Facsimile: 520-388-8305, ATTN: Patrick Morton
U.S. Mail: Coronado National Forest, ATTN: Patrick Morton, 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701
Hand-delivery: 6th floor, 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays
Also note: the Wildcat Silver Hermosa mining exploration project opened its public comment period in early August.
Jun 14, 2012 | Blog
Tombstone Arizona has made national headlines regarding its battle with the Forest Service over water rights. For 130 years pipelines have transported water from the Huachuaca Mountains 26 miles to Tombstone. The Monument Fire and subsequent mud slides last year destroyed this pipeline system. Tombstone has been trying to get emergency permission from the Sierra Vista District of the Coronado National Forest to bring in heavy equipment to repair the water system without success. The case has also gone to court, twice. Tombstone has lost both times.
Reasons given by the courts include the question of actual need and urgency of the repairs. Also in question is Tombstone’s entitlement to the water in the national forest. Tombstone claims rights to 25 springs while the Forest Service says they have permits for only 5. The federal government said none of that gives the city unfettered right of access. The Forest Service has also cited the Wilderness Protection Act as a reason for their reluctance to allow the requested repair of the pipeline. Machinery of any kind is banned in a Wilderness Area where the pipeline is located.
Another reason given was the presence of Mexican spotted owls. The owls are a threatened species. Supposedly, their presence is the big reason that the Forest Service wouldn’t grant Tombstone a permit to use heavy equipment to fix the pipeline. I have a hard time believing that one.
Here in the Patagonia Mountains we are lucky to still have Mexican spotted owls. Last year, the Sierra Vista District of the Coronado National Forest granted permission to Arizona Minerals aka Wildcat Silver to start exploratory drilling operations within Mexican spotted owl habitat. This drilling project would have operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 300 consecutive days. Along with noise and light disturbance there was the extremely high likelihood of destruction of owl habitat. Even the presence of a nearby federally-designated Mexican spotted owl Protected Activity Center didn’t block the approval of the drilling project. We, along with the Defenders of Wildlife and Sky Island Alliance had to sue the Forest Service to stop the drilling project.
It’s not just about the owls. The bigger question is how does the exact same Forest Service office come up with completely opposite policy actions?
U.S. high court denies Tombstone water relief
Sierra Vista Herald Sat, 06/02/2012
Tombstone readies picks and shovels
Sierra Vista Herald 06/07/2012
Spotted owl could be game-changer in Tombstone water war
CNN 06/09/2012
Dec 22, 2011 | Blog
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hardshell exploratory drilling threatens endangered wildlife on Coronado National Forest
Conservation groups challenge project
TUCSON, Ariz.—A coalition of conservation groups has gone to court seeking a timeout on construction of the Hardshell Project on the Coronado National Forest in southern Arizona today. The groups are challenging the U.S. Forest Service for approving exploratory mineral drilling for a planned 3,000-acre mine without required studies of how it will impact endangered wildlife and the environment.
“The Forest Service appears to have pulled a fast one on this project by approving it without first assessing its environmental impact. There’s no way to expand industrial mining activities here without causing irreversible damage to wildlife,” said Craig Miller, Defenders of Wildlife’s Southwest representative. “When you take a broad view of all the industrial mining projects the Forest Service is allowing in this area, it’s alarming that it’s being done without considering impacts on our wildlife and wild places. It’s especially serious for endangered animals like the jaguar, whose survival depends on land managers ensuring that a few wild places like the Patagonia Mountains remain intact.”
The Hardshell Project site threatens habitat for endangered Mexican spotted owls, lesser long-nosed bats, and could cut off key migration corridors for ocelots and jaguars. Yet, the ForestService approved the project after waiving the need for analyzing its environmental impact based upon groundless assumption that the drilling would have no significant environmental effects.
“The Coronado National Forest is located within the heart of the Sky Island region, one of the most ecologically diverse spots in the world,” said Jenny Neeley, conservation policy director for Sky Island Alliance. “This project will likely degrade important wildlife habitat and disrupt a critical movement corridor for the jaguar and ocelot, which are known to roam this area. The ForestService is responsible for sustaining the unique biodiversity of this region, and as part of this responsibility it is required to take a hard look at the long-term impacts of this project before allowing it to move forward.”
The groups are asking the courts to put the project on hold until the Forest Service undertakes a thorough environmental review of its impacts.
“We want the Forest Service to give this proposed drilling project the serious consideration it is due,” said Wendy Russell with the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance. “A large part of our economy depends on tourism to these wild places. More important, the project is sited along Harshaw Creek, a major source of water for the town of Patagonia. We hope the court recognizes the importance of putting this project on hold until theForest Service does the proper analysis.”
Link to Complaint
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Contacts:
James Navarro, Defenders of Wildlife, (202) 772-0247; jnavarro@defenders.org
Jenny Neeley, Sky Island Alliance, (520) 624-7080 x13; Jenny@skyislandalliance.org
Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.
Sky Island Alliance is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the rich natural heritage of native species and habitats in the Sky Island region of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. For 20 years, SIA has worked with volunteers, scientists, landowners, public officials, and government agencies to establish protected areas, restore healthy landscapes, and promote public appreciation of the region’s unique biological diversity.
The Patagonia Area Resource Alliance is an unincorporated association of volunteer community members dedicated to protecting and preserving the Patagonia, Arizona area. PARA is a watchdog organization that monitors the activities of industrial developers such as mining corporations, as well as government agencies, to make sure their actions have long- term, sustainable benefits to our public lands, our watershed, and our town. PARA is also committed to outreach and education within our community on the potential negative impacts hard rock mining could have on our surrounding ecosystems and to our growing eco-tourism based economy.
