Action Alerts:

DHS Moves Forward on the Destruction of the San Pedro
Help Save the Scenic Santa Ritas - Public Comment Period Open Through July 14^th - Additional Public Meetings Scheduled
Protect Our Peaks and Ridges
"Son of CAP" Threatens Gila River

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DHS Moves Forward on the Destruction of the San Pedro

Please see the news release below and send in letters to the editor stating your outrage to DHS moving forward without properly taking the environment into account. Addresses and instructions follow the NEWS RELEASE, below.

Sean Sullivan
_________________________
NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2007
Contact: Joe Vickless, (202) 772-0237
             Sean Sullivan, Sierra Club, (520) 250-9040

Bush administration ignores laws to continue construction of border wall in protected public conservation area

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to waive laws in response to federal judge's decision halting border wall construction in San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

WASHINGTON - Defenders of Wildlife has been informed that Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will waive a number of laws in order to resume construction of a border wall and road in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (NCA) in southeastern Arizona. Under Section 102 of the REAL ID Act, passed in May 2005, Chertoff has now waived environmental, cultural and numerous other laws in three separate instances to allow border wall construction through fragile habitat.

"The issue here is whether wildlife and other sensitive environmental values will be given fair consideration in the decisions the government makes," said Robert Dreher, vice president for conservation law for Defenders of Wildlife. "In the past, Secretary Chertoff himself has acknowledged the border wall's inherent failures, and yet he still chose to bypass our nation's laws to plow forward with the administration's destructive, ineffective plan."

"It isn't too much to ask that DHS and other government agencies comply with our nation's environmental laws in Arizona, particularly where international treasures like the San Pedro River are at stake," added Dreher. "The Department of Homeland Security has already acknowledged the need to do an environmental impact statement for similar wall construction along the Texas border."

Sec. Chertoff's decision to invoke the REAL ID waiver came in response to an October 10 order by U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle temporarily halting construction in the San Pedro Riparian NCA. Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club, the conservation groups that brought the case, condemned Sec. Chertoff's move as short-sighted, choosing to sacrifice an internationally-recognized wildlife preserve in order to rush construction of a section of border wall. The REAL ID Act gives Chertoff the authority to waive any and all laws of the United States in order to expedite construction of barriers and walls along the border.

"We can secure our borders while we protect our public lands," said Sean Sullivan with the Sierra Club's Rincon (southeastern Arizona) Group. "Bulldozing the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and our important environmental protections is not necessary to manage the border."

Lawyers for the two conservation organizations appeared before Judge Huvelle on Oct. 10 to argue for a temporary restraining order to halt construction until an appropriate assessment could be made regarding the impact of the wall on wildlife and protected federal public lands. Judge Huvelle granted the restraining order that same day.

Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club went to court after the Department of the Interior ignored an earlier formal appeal for a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts and began immediate construction on the San Pedro segment of border wall. The groups chose to take legal action over this particular border wall segment because of the environmental and international significance of the San Pedro conservation area.

The San Pedro River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the southwestern United States, and one of the few perennial streams flowing from the mountains of Mexico into the United States. Its natural beauty and diverse wildlife attract visitors from around the globe. The conservation area through which it runs is one of America's most unique and biologically diverse areas. The San Pedro region has been designated as a World Heritage Natural Area by the United Nations World Heritage program. Some 250 species of migratory birds have been recorded in the area, which led to its designation as a Globally Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, American Bird Conservancy, and the International Commission for Environmental Cooperation.

"Today's decision by DHS to invoke the REAL ID waiver in this case highlights the need for Congress to step in with legislation that would secure the nation's border while still being mindful of impacts to the environment and local communities," said Dreher.

Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) has already introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would secure America's border with Mexico while reducing the negative impact on local communities and resources, including national parks, wildlife refuges and monuments that are home to several critically endangered species. H.R. 2593, the Borderlands Security and Conservation Act of 2007, would amend existing immigration and border security laws, including REAL ID and the Secure Fence Act, to help alleviate the impacts of border enforcement activities on public lands, wildlife and borderland communities.

Contact Information:

Green Valley News:
Fax: 520-625-1603, Email: letters@gvnews.com
Mail: P.O. Box 567, Green Valley, AZ 85622

Arizona Daily Star:
Fax: 520-573-4141, Email: letters@azstarnet.com
Mail: P.O. Box 26807, Tucson, AZ 85726-6807

Tucson Citizen:
Fax: 520-573-4569, Email: letters@tucsoncitizen.com
Mail: Letters to the Editor, Tucson Citizen, P.O. Box 26767, Tucson, AZ 85726-6767

Tucson Weekly:
Email: mailbag@tucsonweekly.com
Mail: P. O. Box 27087, Tucson, AZ 85726-7087
NOTE: This paper requires a signature with submissions.

Explorer:
Fax: 520-297-8510, Email: mevans@explorer.com
Mail: Letter to the Editor, 7235 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ, 85704

All letters must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Increase your chances of publication by limiting letters to 250 words.

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Help Save the Scenic Santa Ritas

See Below For The Latest On This Situation

Augusta Resources Corporation, a Canadian mining company attempting to develop an open pit copper mine in the Rosemont Valley, Santa Rita Mountains just south of Tucson, has submitted their Mining Plan of Operations to the Coronado National Forest. This means that if the Forest Service accepts the Plan, the NEPA process and the public participation process will begin. Please make sure you are on the Forest Service's list to be contacted for any public comment opportunities regarding this mine.

Check our website www.ScenicSantaRitas.org for the Forest Service's address and other things you can do to help stop this mine.

The Latest ....

Dear Friends of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas,

The NEPA Process has begun on the Rosemont Mine! The public comment period is now open through July 14^th.

For Immediate Release Contact: Heidi Schewel (520) 388-8484

Coronado National Forest to Prepare Environmental Impact Statement for Rosemont Copper Project

(TUCSON, ARIZONA, March 11, 2008) Coronado National Forest Supervisor Jeanine Derby submitted a Notice of Intent for publication in the Federal Register to initiate preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Rosemont Copper Project.

The EIS will disclose the potential environmental and social effects anticipated as a result of the proposed Rosemont Mine Plan of Operation (MPO), including construction and operation of an open-pit mine and related facilities, and will determine if the Forest Plan must be amended to allow such mining activities. In addition, the EIS may evaluate other connected actions related to the MPO, such as construction of roads and utilities.

As proposed, the Rosemont Copper Project would be located 30 miles southeast of Tucson, in Pima County, on approximately 995 acres of private land, 3,670 acres of National Forest land, 15 acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and 75 acres of State Trust land.

While the Forest Service assumes the role of lead agency in preparation of the EIS, many other federal, state, and local government agencies with jurisdiction may also participate. To assist with preparation of the EIS, the Forest Service has selected SWCA Environmental Consultants based in Phoenix, Arizona. The proponent, Rosemont Copper Company, is responsible for the cost of preparing the EIS.

A draft EIS may be available for public review by March, 2009, with a final EIS projected for completion by November, 2009.

The Forest Service encourages public participation in the EIS process. The public comment period is now open through July 14^th - for further information on providing comments to the Forest Service, please view this web page.

View this document for information on additionally scheduled public meetings (PDF file - 34 KB).

To repeat: an initial public comment period runs through July 14, 2008. Agencies or individuals can submit comments by mail, FAX, or email as follows:

Mail comments to Team Leader, Rosemont Copper Project, Coronado National Forest, 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, Arizona 85701

FAX comments to (520) 388–8305, ATTN: Rosemont Team Leader

Or email to comments-southwestern-coronado@fs.fed.us

For questions about the public meetings or the comment period, the public can call (520) 388-8300. Questions about the EIS process should be directed to Ms. Andrea Campbell, Forest NEPA Coordinator, at 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701, or telephone (520) 388-8300.

Additional information about the proposed Rosemont Copper Project, including the Notice of Intent, is available online at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/rosemont

Heidi Schewel
Coronado National Forest
Media Officer, Fire Information
Communications and Technology Team
Collateral: FOET Chair
(520) 749-7720 FAX (520) 749-7723
hschewel@fs.fed.us

Please check our website for updates and more information.

Lainie Levick

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas
8987 E. Tanque Verde #309-157
Tucson, AZ 85749
www.ScenicSantaRitas.org

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Help-PROTECT our PEAKS AND RIDGES

The Tucson Mountains Peaks and Ridges Subcommittee (TMPRS) was formed at the request of Pima County. This is a pilot project for the entire county.

The committee was formed because the Hillside Development Zone ordinance was changed to allow an increase in grading for homesite pads and driveways with the result that mountain tops and ridges are being desecrated. The TMPRS divided the Tucson Mountains into 4 areas and formed teams to pickout peaks and ridges that are dominant land forms. The committee had no information about property ownership, but was concerned with how visible a peak or ridge was and how many people would be visually impacted if it was graded and built on. The intent was to protect the viewsheds and sunset silhouettes of all of our mountains- Tucson Mountains, Tortolitas, Catalinas, Santa Ritas, Rincons, etc., for the greater good of the residents of PimaCounty.

A good example of this "housing- creep" is what's happening above Ventana Canyon, where there are million dollar homes that have fabulous views, but destroy the view for everyone else.

The committee originally recommended protection for more than 130 peaks. The first section of peaks was considered by the Board of Supervisors and most of them were approved for protection. There are 98 peaks under consideration now.

The Sierra Club and Tucson Mountains Association recommends the following plan:

There are two zones to this plan:
Zone A- 150 feet "down" from the top of the peak or ridge is a no-build zone.
Zone B- 150 feet below the no build zone, building, grading and lighting will be regulated.

* There should be standards of height, color, re-vegetation, and grading to minimize visibility from surrounding properties and from residents at a distance. Utilities should be underground and antennas concealed from view.

* All the peaks and ridges that were not part of an approved platted subdivision before January 2003 and were designated by the Tucson Mountains Peaks and Ridges subcommittee, should gain this protection.

* An appeals process should be created where citizens adversely impacted can appeal provisions of this ordinance to the Board of Adjustment.

Each supervisor's district has a five member board of citizens from that area. Pima County's Plan: Because the county is concerned with having to buy properties that may end up with no building site, the Staff of Pima County Development Services has recommended that there be a level 1 and level 2 protection. · Level 1 protection is 150 feet "down" from the peak or ridge. There are 19 peaks in this level. · Level 2 protection: 50 feet down from the peak or ridge is the"no-build" zone and then the area 100 feet below that will have standards for color, reflectivity, grading etc. There are 35 peaks in this level. · Level 3 has 24 peaks, there will be no protection for these peaks. Some of the peaks in this level are in a platted subdivision.

There are over 20 peaks that are undefined for protection. TAKE ACTION NOW!

It's easy to contact county officials. Here's how: Print and Mail the Attached Letter and give one to a friend: The Supervisors have only heard from a well organized group funded by property rights supporters.

Write: Telling the Supervisors of your support for the Tucson Mountains Association Plan for the Peaks and Ridges.

Send an E-mail: To e-mail the Supervisors and Chuck Huckelberry, County Administrator, go to the following site: http://www.TucsonMountainsAssoc.org/supesletter.htm  Read the letter and fill out the name and address info and send.

Please contact Debbie Hecht, Tucson Mountains Association President, at TMA@TucsonMountainsAssoc.org to be added to the Tucson Mountains Assn. email contact list.

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"Son of CAP" Threatens Gila River

The State of New Mexico wants your tax dollars to capture and divert an average of 18,000 acre-feet of water per year from the Gila River. The Gila River in New Mexico is one of the few major streams left in the Southwest, which hasn't been dammed or pumped dry for water supply. It provides life for native fish and wildlife, including imperiled species such as the loach and spikedace minnows and the Southwestern willow flycatcher.

The 1968 legislation for the Central Arizona Project (CAP) authorized the Secetary of Interior to contract with New Mexico to divert up to 18,000 acre-feet per year from the Gila or its tributaries, such as the San Francisco River, but because there was never any promise to subsidize the effort with federal funds, the likelihood of any Gila River diversion has seemed as remote as the construction of the Charleston Dam on the San Pedro River, until now.

New Mexico's senators are negotiating with Arizona's senators to amend the Arizona Water Rights Settlements Act (Senate Bill 437) to add $150 million in federal funding to export Gila River water over the Continental Divide to Silver City and Deming. This project has such a low benefit to cost ratio that it will not be built without a substantial helping of federal pork-barrel spending.

One of the likely diversion locations is along the Gila-Cliff Valley reach, where cottonwood forest and wetlands are dependent on river flows and shallow underground water. These forests are known to support some of the highest densities of non-colonial birds on the continent. The area includes large concentrations of the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher. By doubling the current quantity of water removed from the Gila river system, New Mexico's most significant freshwater system may be harmed. Regardless how the diversion is taken, the water for wildlife, vegetation, nutrient cycling, and other river functions would be diminished. Flows of the Gila and San Francisco Rivers are also important for recreation, particularly in the Middle Gila Box (NM) and Gila Box National Conservation Area.

Public discussions of this proposal in Arizona have not occurred. Environmental impacts of the diversion would not be analyzed until after the legislation is passed. Mitigation costs would be borne by federal taxpayers.

Take Action:

Contact Senators Kyl and McCain (U. S. Senate, Washington, DC, 20510; mccain@mccain.senate.gov) and the various Arizona Congressional reps (U. S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, 20515; www.house.gov/writerep regarding HR 885).

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