KNST interview covers request for Pima County public records
Published July 31, 2012

Click link for the interview with Bill Assenmacher and Ruck Grinnell on the Garrett Lewis Show. http://www.knst.com/player/?station=KNST-AM&program_name=podcast&program_id=GARRET LEWIS.xml&mid=22299462

Pima County Government Public Records Requested Re: Rosemont Copper Project For Immediate Release
Published July 25, 2012

Tucson, AZ. On July 19, 2012, an official request (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 39-121, et. seq) was submitted to Pima County Government to obtain public records identifying the amount of monies and time spent by various County departments regarding Rosemont Copper.

On May 18, 2011, AMIGOS (Mining Suppliers Trade Association) submitted a narrower request which revealed $70,000 in taxpayer money spent to review Rosemont Copper issues. A recent review of the County website (www.pima.gov/public-eContractsz/) shows a number of additional contracts and amendments. While it is unclear what the actual expenditures are, there are over $400,000 in outstanding contracts to date.

As a coalition that exists to support economic development and job opportunities, SABC has determined that the County’s excessive and expensive efforts in this matter is detrimental to the growth of economic opportunities afforded by Rosemont Copper.

Upon receipt of the requested records, SABC will present the information to the public for review and questions, and will also seek clarification and justification of these expenditures from the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

To view click here: Request for Public Records from Pima County

Another reason why Tucson should host the F-35
Published July 23, 2012

It’s time for an intense letter writing campaign in support of basing the F-35 at the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson. The impact needed will require as many Tucsonans as possible to send letters. Please send personal letters because form letters do not carry the same weight.

The timing is urgent, so mail your letters of support now to:

Honorable Terry A. Yonkers
SAF/IE
1665 Air Force Pentagon
Room 4E996
Washington, DC 20330-1665
http://www.reuters.com/article/video/idUSBRE86H0VF20120718?videoId=236550565

Panetta hails F-35 jet as key for UK, U.S.

(Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday that Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft represents the “future of tactical aviation” for U.S. and British forces, as Britain prepares to take delivery of its first test aircraft.

The scheduled delivery Thursday at Lockheed’s Fort Worth, Texas, production plant is an indication of considerable strides in the program, particularly in the past year, Panetta told a Pentagon press conference alongside Philip Hammond, his British counterpart.

The radar-evading F-35 is the Pentagon’s costliest arms purchase, expected to top $396 billion for 2,443 aircraft in three models through the mid-2030s. It is being built for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and eight co-development partners — Britain, Italy, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands. Israel and Japan also are buying the F-35 and others have shown interest.

The Defense Department this year postponed production of 179 jets until after 2017, providing more time for development and testing in an effort to curb costly retrofits. The program’s latest restructuring, the third such revamp, added 33 months and $7.9 billion to the development plan.

The Pentagon is fully confident that it will be able to meet its “full commitment” to the program, Panetta said, despite a flattening of its overall spending amid U.S. deficit-reduction requirements.

“The F-35 represents, I believe, the future of tactical aviation for both of our armed services,” he said. It will make it possible to “effectively control the skies as we confront the enemies of tomorrow.”

The continued commitment to the program will also further solidify the U.S.-British alliance, Panetta said, handing Hammond a small-scale model of the new fighter.

Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon’s No. 1 supplier by sales, has said that international demand may help offset slower U.S. production rates. The company expects the F-35 to account for about 20 percent of revenue once full production begins at a date to be determined in coming years.

(Reporting By Jim Wolf; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Sofina Mirza-Reid)

Bill Valenzuela; “He was a great friend” Bill Assenmacher
Published July 17, 2012

A great friend of mine, Bill Valenzuela, recently passed away (July 8th). He was a great American, serving his country in the Korean War. He was a great business owner, as the
founder and chairman of his family business, W.G. Valenzuela Drywall & Paint, Inc., a major employer in
the Tucson construction market for many years.

A lot of people knew of Bill’s work as a Pro-Business leader and that he was heavily involved in
numerous Catholic Community Charities.

He was active in numerous groups including the Chamber of Commerce and the Tucson Airport
Authority. But one of his greatest accomplishments, in my opinion, was the role he played in the ESGR,
a support group for all of our Guardsmen & women throughout the State.

Bill was a founding member of the 162nd Fighter Wing Minuteman Committee whose guidance and
wisdom directly impacted the committee’s success and our wing’s success. He was the 162nd’s primary
advocate in the community and Tucson’s strongest supporter of the 162nd mission and its people.
Bill was the State Chairman for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve and was later named Chair
Emeritus – constantly working to promote understanding and support between employers and their
National Guard and Reserve member employees.

He was out in front as one of our best advocates for bringing the F35 here to replace the F-16 at the
Tucson Airport. Bill was also a very big supporter of the Rosemont Mine. Bill’s leadership in the last 30
years will be greatly missed. His involvement and dedication to many worthy causes has inspired others
to follow his lead and get personally involved in local and state pro-business and public service activities.
He will be truly missed. Bill is leaving some very big shoes for all to pitch in and fill. I know I will miss his
leadership. He was a great friend.

Bill Assenmacher

Rosemont Mine will protect water despite opponents’ scare tactics
Published July 11, 2012

Kathy Arnold Special To The Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Thursday, May 10, 2012 12:00 am
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/mailbag/rosemont-mine-will-protect-water-despite-opponents-scare-tactics/article_10431666-1f4e-527d-b657-d76233809816.html

Adequate and clean water are vital to life in Southern Arizona, as are a job and the ability to feed your family. I say this as a 24-year Southern Arizona resident, and as one who has the honor to work for one of the most responsible companies in the nation.

I’m referring to Rosemont Copper, headquartered right here in Tucson.

Rosemont Copper is setting new standards for environmental stewardship, community leadership and employment.

That’s why it frustrates so many here to see those zealously focused on stopping Rosemont at all costs – those willing to kill the jobs that will help sustain our economy for more than a generation by resorting to fear mongering and innuendo based upon incomplete or incorrect information about Rosemont.

Recently a group consisting of the same few familiar Rosemont Copper opponents, and yet sporting a new name – the “Community Water Coalition” – is attempting to scare people with the same tired tactics.

It’s important to revisit the facts.

Rosemont is setting new standards for water conservation and water planning. By using technological advances, Rosemont has developed a plan that uses half the water of conventional mining on a pound-per-pound basis.

Contrary to statements made by opponents, mines are subject to rules and regulations of the 1980 Groundwater Code.

As part of the code, each Active Management Area (AMA) has a five-member, governor-appointed Groundwater Users Advisory Council that provides recommendations on the ground-water management programs, plans and policies within the management area.

These management plans reflect the evolution of the Groundwater Code and contain rigorous management requirements for agricultural, municipal and industrial water users, including mines.

Rosemont exceeds all standards set out in the management plans in terms of water management and conservation.

Before we’ve taken any water, Rosemont has used existing groundwater programs to recharge 45,000 acre-feet of water into the Tucson AMA – enough for 105,000 homes for one year. This amount represents approximately eight years of Rosemont’s permitted water use.

The largest amount of drawdown will be in the vicinity of Rosemont’s open pit at the end of mining. As you move away from the pit, those changes in groundwater elevation are reduced to less than a foot, which is less than the natural groundwater fluctuation. Over time impacts do not increase but come into equilibrium.

We are dedicated to protecting well owners. Rosemont has offered an unprecedented well-protection plan – not a buyout – to local well owners along Highway 83, similar to a program initiated near Sahuarita.

Rosemont recently received an aquifer protection permit that assures water quality at wells along the boundary of the operations. This means there is no threat from pollutants in the Tucson aquifer.

Mines throughout the nation have become major tourist attractions. Already tourists and researchers are visiting Rosemont, and we have given more than 6,000 tours over the last five years. I would venture that every one of those people either bought something or ate something, income counted in our county’s tourism figures.

Rosemont Copper has proposed an operation that is sustainable, protective of the environment and uses the best technology available to provide 2,100 people with ongoing employment, tax dollars to help support our infrastructure and schools, as well as innumerable additional opportunities to many others. I, and the thousands of employees, contractors, consultants and supporters have worked hard to make this project a model for the future.

Kathy Arnold is vice president of environmental and regulatory affairs for the Rosemont Copper Co.

Augusta Resource Corporation – Superior Court Rules in Favor of Rosemont on Air Permit Appeal
Published July 10, 2012

DENVER, July 10, 2012 /CNW/ – Augusta Resource Corporation (TSX/NYSE MKT: AZC) (“Augusta” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that the Arizona Superior Court for Pima County (“Court”) has ruled in the Company’s favor regarding its appeal of Pima County Air Quality Control District (“Control District”) and Pima County Air Quality Hearing Board’s (“Hearing Board”) denial of Rosemont’s Air Permit application.

The Court Ruling, dated July 5, 2012, determined that both the Control District and the Hearing Board “acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner and that the [Control District and Hearing Board] abused their discretion.” The ruling directed the Control District to process Rosemont’s application in a timely manner; moreover, it further supports Rosemont’s decision to apply for an Air Permit processed by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”).

“This ruling is certainly a positive win for Rosemont,” said Rod Pace, Augusta’s Chief Operating Officer. “There was no doubt that we were being treated unfairly and uniquely in Pima County. The Court made the right decision to order Pima County to allow Rosemont to be treated justly. Notwithstanding, we will continue to work with the ADEQ to ensure the Rosemont Air Permit gets processed expeditiously.”

AZ Daily Star, Letter to the Editor, July 5, 2012
Published July 5, 2012

We Need Copper More Than Writer Knows
Re: the July 1 Letter to the Editor, AZ Daily Star:

“We can do without copper, but not water.”

The author of the above referenced letter to the editor is very much uninformed. Without copper he would not be driving his car, lighting his house, using a computer or cooling the air, to name only a few in a
multitude of scenarios that provide for his high quality of life.

The fact is, his concern is water and if he had seriously thought this through, he would have realized he couldn’t have that either, because water would not be available without pumping … and that requires copper! Hello! Seriously, if all the Rosemont opponents are really concerned about water use, which apparently they aren’t but being only selective, they would be howling about how much is being pumped for nuts, which is five to six times the amount Rosemont intends to use and a product, unlike copper, that we truly “can do without.”

Dave Efnor
Mining engineer, Tucson