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Next Steps for Rosemont Mine in Arizona Last month, we asked you write to the Forest Service and Army Corps to protect the scenic Santa Rita Mountains from mine waste dumping and an open-pit copper mine. Now that the comment periods are over it is time for both agencies to review and come to some decisions. The next step for the Forest Service is to write a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), which will go out for public review and comment before a record of decision is signed. However, many of the comments received and several of the cooperating agencies have asked that a supplemental Impact statement be written first. In fact the Forest Service has hinted that this may be a possibility. If a Supplemental EIS is written, there will need to be public review and comment on the supplement before the Final is written. The next step for the Army Corps will be deciding whether to grant the permit or not. The Corps has no time limit and it may ask for more information before making a decision. The Army Corps is clearly not bound by the 1872 Mining Law, so they have every right to deny the permit. If the permit is denied, it would be extremely difficult for the project to move forward! Help protect this beautiful "Sky Island" habitat of rare native species and for outdoor enthusiasts which is slated for destruction if the mine is built. Get more info at Save the Scenic Santa Ritas: http://www.scenicsantaritas.org/ and the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition: http://www.azminingreform.org/

February 08, 2012