The
284-page filing details the Forest Service's failure to "fully comply
with numerous federal and state laws, regulations, policies and other
requirements" in its analysis of the environmental and economic impacts
of this massive mine. The Objections follow other federal and local
government agencies that similarly concluded the Rosemont Mine would
violate numerous state and federal environmental protection laws. The
Forest Service cannot approve any mining proposal that violates clean
water, air or other safeguards.
"The Rosemont Copper mine is required to comply with ALL federal and state laws and regulations," said Gayle Hartmann, President of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas,
one of the objecting groups. "But it's clear the Forest Service has
shirked its responsibility to require that Rosemont obey those laws and
protect our water, air, communities, and economy."
Major issues identified in the filing include:
- Rosemont would create a toxic pit lake that won't be mitigated.
The Forest Service admits that Rosemont will leave behind a toxic pit
lake that would be deadly to migratory birds and other wildlife - a
violation of multiple laws - yet the agency refused to consider any
mitigation measures.
- The Forest Service claims - incorrectly - it does not have the
"responsibility or jurisdiction" to protect regional water supplies from
mine pollution. The FEIS acknowledges that the mine will violate
both state and federal water quality standards, yet the agency illegally
abdicates its responsibility for ensuring that the mine complies with
those standards.
- The FEIS includes a previously unannounced transportation plan that threatens southern Arizona communities with serious health and safety risks from the mine's heavy truck traffic.
It's a clear violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
to include this kind of significant new information at the last minute
without providing an opportunity for public review or comment.
- The Forest Service failed to include information about how Rosemont will meet its post-mining cleanup obligations. The agency's refusal to specify the details and amount of Rosemont's reclamation bond violates NEPA's disclosure requirements.
These
are just a few examples of the dozens of objections included in today's
filing. A team of scientists, engineers, lawyers and other experts
provided the detailed technical analyses included in the filing.
The
Forest Service has at most 75 days to respond to each objection and
issue a final decision. Depending on the outcome of that process,
litigation may be the next step.
"In many ways, we're entering the most important part of this process," said Randy Serraglio,
conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. "It's
time for the Forest Service to take more seriously its responsibility to
protect our air, water, wildlife and economy."
Click here for more about Save the Scenic Santa Ritas.
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