SABC letter to Col. Colton, U.S. Corp of Engineers
Published June 25, 2014
June 23, 2014
Colonel Kimberly M. Colloton, PMP
Los Angeles District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
915 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
RE: Continued delays by Corp of Engineers of Rosemont Copper Project acquisition of the 404 permit
Dear Colonel Colloton,
On behalf of over 40,000 men and women whose livelihood depend on the mining industry here in Southern Arizona, thank you in advance for your attention to this letter in of support for Rosemont Copper’s acquisition of the 404 permit. The following points reflect an overwhelming frustration of the special conditions being required by the Corp of Engineers of this process of approval of the 404.
The U.S. ranks close to the bottom of places to open a mining project and do business. Canada’s permitting process is about 2 years and Mexico can permit a mine in 1-2 years. Each has a responsible and reasonable environmental permitting process with many of the same requirements.
The appearance of the Corp to leverage political capital from the extreme environmental and political community appears significantly to be in play here and these constant delays by our governmental agencies are costing jobs and extending the mistrust the general public has in our governmental agencies. As an Officer in the United States Army, we’d expect more leadership and integrity in the Corp’s role in processing of this application. If our own government cannot work with the economic engines that provide the jobs, economic security in a reasonable and respectful manner, than this great nation is in real trouble. We urge you to take the leadership role to complete these negotiations with the applicant and issue the 404 permit in the most expeditious manner possible. This has gone on for too long and the cost of delays to our local economy in the multi millions.
Our regional unemployment and under employment is over 25% with a poverty level over 20%. Between the EPA, the Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service this process has extended way beyond any reasonable time frame and people are starving for work.
According to 4 § 320.4 General policies for evaluating permit applications.
Public Interest Review.
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the proposed activity and its intended use on the public interest. Evaluation of the probable impact which the proposed activity may have on the public interest requires a careful weighing of all those factors which become relevant in each particular case.
The benefits which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments.
Without question or hesitation does this project serve the Public’s best interest? Yes; this project serves the public’s best interest. The long and arduous process to acquire all the permits required (over seven years, untold number of studies, 15 public hearing and thousands of hours invested by all parties, including 17 cooperating agencies) shows Rosemont Copper has met or exceed all Federal, State and local obligations.
Mining is an integral part of our Southern Arizona’s economic and social stability. The mines, University of Arizona Department of Mining & Geological Engineering and supporting industries provide economic stability, education, scholarships and community support to hundreds of charities.
This isn’t just about a mine, it’s about a Mind Set. We understand and respect reasonable rules and regulations of our valuable resources, but again, the excessive reach by the agencies that regulate these seem to extend way beyond reasonable.
Again, thank you for your time and we look forward to your issuance of a responsible decision in support of the 404 permit.
Respectfully,
Bill Assenmacher
President
Rick Grinnell
Vice President
Southern Arizona Business Coalition Southern Arizona Business Coalition
Cc: Honorable John McCain, US Senator, Arizona
Honorable Jeff Flake, US Senator, Arizona
Honorable Ron Barber, US Representative, District 2, Arizona
Honorable Raul Grijalva, US Representative, District 3, Arizona
Honorable Ed Pastor, US Representative, District 7, Arizona
Honorable John McHugh
Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy
Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, Region 9-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Rosemont Copper Mine getting financial capital backing – Rick Grinnell
Published June 25, 2014
Rick Grinnell was interviewed by Jon Justice on June 24th to discuss the latest regarding Rosemont. Copy and paste the link and scroll to the bottom of the page. Click on the radio link to listen.
www.1041kqth.com/podcast/justiceondemand/264444861.html