No Mining in Eastern Santa Cruz County

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PETITION IN OPPOSITION TO MINING IN THE PATAGONIA MOUNTAINS, CANELO HILLS AND SAN RAFAEL VALLEY, ARIZONA

WHEREAS, The Patagonia Mountains, Canelo Hills and San Rafael Valley, Arizona, are currently being considered for three possible open pit mines at Hardshell (Wildcat Silver), Four Metals (Black Pearl Minerals Consolidated) and Providencia (White Cloud Resources); and

WHEREAS, this property is located within and adjacent to the Coronado National Forest, and is in Santa Cruz County; and

WHEREAS, the lands being considered for mining are prime wildlife habitat, home to abundant game and non-game species such as deer, javelina, bats, mountain lion, coatimundi, quail, hawks, vultures, golden eagles, and songbirds; and

WHEREAS, this area is an important wildlife corridor and also has high open space values; and

WHEREAS, this area of the Patagonia Mountains, Canelo Hills and San Rafael Valley is used extensively by citizens of Santa Cruz County for recreation, including hiking, bird watching, camping, bicycling, horseback riding, hunting and off-road vehicle use, among other activities; and

WHEREAS, a mine is not compatible with recreational uses, natural values, and wildlife habitat; and

WHEREAS, copper mining in this area and elsewhere has historically been associated with air and water pollution (both surface and sub-surface), noise pollution and increased truck traffic; and

WHEREAS, mining on these lands will preclude future uses of these lands for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, the economic benefit of mining in this area does not outweigh the local citizens concern of the negative impacts to the adjacent Forest Service lands for a broad range of recreational activities and ecosystem health; and

WHEREAS, the public interest of Santa Cruz County and southern Arizona will thus, in sum, not be furthered by mining activities in this area.

NOW, THEREFORE, we the undersigned do hereby
1. Strongly oppose any mining activities in the Patagonia Mountains, Canelo Hills and San Rafael Valley area.
2. Urge the U.S. Forest Service to reject any Mining Plan of Operations submitted by the companies in question for mining in these areas based on the issues described above.
3. Urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw permanently from mineral exploration and extraction all federal lands within the Coronado National Forest in eastern Santa Cruz County.

Sincerely,
The Undersigned

650 Signatures

  • Nick N
  • Bonnie I
  • nicole m
  • H. M. S
  • David B
  • Kelly M
  • Marnie W. G
  • Ana Z
  • ed s
  • Joyce O
    • Comments
    • We are Elgin Az residents and we oppose any mining
  • Virginia I S
    • Comments
    • We invested in land in this area specifically for the purpose of leaving it unspoiled. Let's also work to get the mining laws changed so short-term economic interests can be balanced with long-term stewardship of the Earth.
  • Teresa A
  • Debra P
  • Tamara B
  • Ron B
  • Alison R
  • Kay C
  • Dave W
  • Steve F
  • Jeffrey E
  • Cynthia B
    • Comments
    • В
  • Janice R
  • Perry P
  • Jacqueline O
    • Comments
    • NO mining in Santa Cruz County
  • Marigold L
  • Jake B
  • mary w
  • Elizabeth (Liz) C
  • Lainie L
    • Comments
    • Oppose new mining in Eastern Santa Cruz County and protect these lands for all of us.
  • Kim B
  • Nancy B
  • Patrick S. M
  • Nancy M
  • Ralph S
  • Richard A. C
    • Comments
    • The Patagonia Mountains, Canelo Hills, and San Rafael Valley, Arizona, are among the most beautiful places I have hiked as a member of the 500-strong Green Valley Recreation Hiking Club. The U.S. Forest Service must withdraw permanently from mineral exploration and extraction these precious lands and all federal lands within the Coronado National Forest in eastern Santa Cruz County. Mother Nature is the mother of all of us, not just those in the mining business. This wreckless assault cannot be tolerated.
  • Larry Kaye G
  • George E. T
    • Comments
    • I fully agree with all points!
  • Jorge D
    • Comments
    • This area is 'worth' more in it's natural, unpolluted, unspoiled, irreplaceable natural state. Do not allow its destruction, thus the destruction of vital and needed tourist income producing qualities of this area, which can be seen for many, many miles, over a vast area. Mining would also negatively impact hundreds of thousands of existing and future property values, since 'scenic quality' is a big part of many of the property values in this area. The Mountain views being one of the most important 'scenic' qualities sought. Water shortage is already a problem in the area, which these mines will make much worse, faster, not to mention the known toxic and particulate pollution these mines create for decades. Last, but not least, many of us want these wildlands spared for the wildlife and also our shared enjoyment. The mines would destroy all this for all time. We can never replace what we destroy in nature.
  • Nancy R
  • Mary D
  • Deborah L
  • Tom i
  • Russell J. L
  • Michael A
  • Tom M
  • Michael P
  • Jeffrey D. A
  • Timothy O
    • Comments
    • Do Not allow the mining industry to desecrate this land
  • Marion L W
  • Brian O