Save the Scenic Santa Ritas

PETITION IN OPPOSITION TO MINING IN THE ROSEMONT VALLEY, SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA


WHEREAS, the private property known as Rosemont Ranch in the Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, is currently being considered for a copper mine; and

WHEREAS, this private property is located within and adjacent to the Coronado National Forest, and is in Pima County; and

WHEREAS, Pima County is working to preserve critical habitat and other areas of biological significance through the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan; and

WHEREAS, this property is located largely within the biological core management area of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, and within a watershed that drains to the proposed Santa Rita Mountain Park and the Davidson Canyon Nature Preserve, both designations proposed in the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan; and

WHEREAS, the lands being considered for mining are prime wildlife habitat, home to abundant game and non-game species such as deer, javelina, bats, mountain lion, quail, hawks, vultures, golden eagles, and songbirds; and

WHEREAS, threatened and endangered species, such as the Lesser Long-nosed Bat, and the Pima Pineapple Cactus, and other priority vulnerable species such as the Rufous-winged Sparrow, Bells Vireo and Lowland Leopard Frogs are known to inhabit this area; and

WHEREAS, this area is an important wildlife corridor and also has high open space values; and

WHEREAS, this area of the Santa Rita Mountains is used extensively by citizens of Pima County for recreation, including hiking, bird watching, bicycling, horseback riding, hunting and off-road vehicle use, among other activities; and

WHEREAS, the area being considered for mining is a core part of the viewscape along Scenic Highway SR 83 and would permanently disfigure the viewscape; and

WHEREAS, the goal of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan is to preserve the quality of life we enjoy in Pima County today for future generations; and

WHEREAS, a mine is not compatible with natural values and habitat; and

WHEREAS, copper mining elsewhere has historically been associated with air and water pollution (both surface and sub-surface); and

WHEREAS, mining on these lands will preclude future uses of these lands for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, the economic benefit of mining in this area does not outweigh the local citizens concern of the negative impacts to the adjacent Forest Service lands for a broad range of recreational activities and ecosystem health; and

WHEREAS, the public interest of Pima County and southern Arizona will thus, in sum, not be furthered by mining activities in this area.

NOW, THEREFORE, we the undersigned do hereby

1. Strongly oppose any mining activities in the Rosemont Ranch area of the Santa Rita Mountains.
2. Urge the U.S. Forest Service to reject any Mining Plan of Operations submitted by Augusta Resource Corporation for mining in the Santa Ritas based on the issues described above.
3. Urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw these lands from Mineral Entry to ensure their permanent protection from mining.