October 2009
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Help Protect Davidson Canyon!
The official comment period has ended for the Cal-Portland permit application to the Army Corps of Engineers. If you sent in comments, Thank You!
The Army Corps of Engineers is currently reviewing CalPortland Cement's permit, and the public comments. We will update this page when we learn more.
For more information:
Empire-Fagan Coalition website
Pima County website on Davidson Canyon and proposed mining impacts
SSSR Letter to the Army Corps of Engineers
Letter from Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll opposing the permit
Watch KOLD story on Davidson Canyon.
The California-Portland Cement Company is proposing up to four separate haul-road crossings of the streambed.
These proposed activities will adversely affect the canyon's recent designation as an Outstanding Water of Arizona, and as an Important Riparian Area. This canyon has also been designated as one of only six Critical Landscape Linkages in Pima County's national award-winning Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and state mandated Comprehensive Land Use Plan, as well as a state wildlife linkage.
After 10 years in the planning, Pima County is currently completing its Section 10 Multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan application under the Endangered Species Act and these Critical Landscape Linkages provide regional connectivity between large preserved habitat blocks for wildlife such as black bear, cougar, and other far-ranging mammals.
Background Information from Tucson Audubon
The Environmental Protection Agency on December 3, 2008, reinstated "Traditional Navigable Water" status for two portions of the Santa Cruz River. One stretches from Tubac to Continental Road and the other from the Roger Road sewage treatment plant north to the county line. This designation brings back the highest level of protection under the Clean Water Act. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers are evaluating the remainder of the river. This is good news for the Santa Cruz River, but there is no guarantee that similar waterways and tributaries will receive the same protection. Passing the Clean Water Restoration Act is the only way to achieve this. Click here for more information.
One of the main issues related to Clean Water Act protection is how to protect headwaters and ephemeral streams. For the Santa Cruz watershed, our concern relates to a plan by California-Portland Cement for two proposed limestone quarries along Davidson Canyon.
These quarries should not be permitted and developed for reasons that include but are not limited to:
* Davidson Canyon is a Pima County designated Important Riparian Area within a state designated regionally critical wildlife corridor underneath Interstate 10 connecting the Empire, Santa Rita, and Rincon mountain ranges.
* The quarries and access road lie in an area of high biological significance containing habitat for vulnerable species.
* Davidson Canyon supports two perennial springs and species of concern including the Gila topminnow, Gila chub, Mexican gartersnake, lowland leopard frog, lesser long-nosed bat, and many migratory birds.
* Davidson Canyon has received state recognition as an Outstanding Arizona Water
Pima County has granted Cal-Portland a flood plain use permit that would allow a haul road across one crossing of Davidson Creek (they will need four). Cal-Portland hopes to start work on pre-mining activities in 30 to 60 days.
Pima County has spent millions of taxpayer dollars over the last twenty years to protect our water supply and quality in the area, including purchasing the Empire Ranch, the Bar V Ranch, and contributing to the acquisition and development of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.
Cal-Portland needs to comply fully with the Clean Water Act. Tucson Audubon wants to insure they request review and permission from the Army Corps of Engineers for work affecting their four proposed wash crossings.
Cal-Portland maintains they can use a non-notifying nationwide 404 permit. Tucson Audubon believes the project should require an individual 404 permit with greater official scrutiny and an opportunity for the public to comment. The Army Corps can exercise its discretionary authority and insist on an individual permit- if they receive overwhelming public support.
Tucson Audubon encourages members to write to the Army Corps of Engineers advocating for an individual 404 permit with a public review and comment period for Cal-Portland's proposal (see above).
Related news stories:
Arizona Daily Star, Dec. 28, 2008, US-permit decision could slow limestone quarry plan
Dec. 18, 2008: Army Corps of Engineers requires AZ-Cal Portland Cemet to file individual Section 404 Permit under the Clean Water Act for their limestone mine in Davidson Canyon.
December 2, 2008: Davidson Canyon designated a State Outstanding Water.
The Governor’s Regulatory Review Council approved adoption of the Final Rule for new Surface Water Quality Standards for Arizona’s rivers, streams, and lakes. The Outstanding Water designation for Davidson Canyon is part of these standards. Thank you to all of you who sent in letters or email to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in support of this designation. Read the News Release from the Sierra Club. Read the ADEQ News Release.
Arizona Daily Star, Canyon where quarry sought gets top level of protection, Dec. 8, 2008
Arizona Daily Star, County OK's key permit for quarry in riparian area, Dec. 3, 2008
Presentation by Pima County Attorney Harlan Agnew on the Arizona Water Quality Standards
