Azusa voters approve mining operation in hills above San Gabriel Valley

Voters in Azusa have approved a rock mining company’s plan to dig into the foothills above the San Gabriel Valley, an operation that residents in neighboring cities say will scar the mountainside, worsen air quality and cut off access to a popular trailhead.

Vulcan Materials, which for years has operated rock quarries in the area, said the process it intends to use will allow for greater revegetation of the hillside.

More than two-thirds of the 3,000 residents who voted in Tuesday’s special election supported the development agreement with Vulcan, which says it plans to use a method known as micro-benching that is less visible than the current technique that leaves 40-foot-high pyramid steps up the hillside.

The mining operation would last until 2038.

Leaders in the city of about 47,000 had approved the plan in July, but a citizens group opposed to the project –- saying they believed the mining would cause an increase in dust and pollution and destroy a scenic ridge -- petitioned for a referendum, putting the issue to a vote. 

The city still has to deal with a lawsuit filed against it by residents in neighboring Duarte whose officials have fought the plan since it surfaced, rallying residents to appear at Azusa city meetings. Arguing that the mining shift will greatly affect their residents, Duarte filed a lawsuit against Vulcan and Azusa seeking to overturn the certification of environmental reports.

RELATED:

Mining proposal maddens Duarte

-- Corina Knoll

Comments

[Zonker]

So that's the real reason they shut down the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club, which had been a good neighbor in Azusa since the 1960s. What a shame.

[Azusa626]

So thankful Measure A passed, and by nearly 70%!...Shame on you Duarte.

[Dan Simpon]

I am a longtime Azusa resident and avid hiking. I applaud the new plan--it’s a win win for Vulcan and Azusa, it’s right for the environment, and it will yield permanent easy-access to a great trail and beautiful waterfall.

[David]

Azusa voted to increase the pollution, noise and dust next to a neighboring Elementary school of more than 400 children by more than 500%!

Shame on Azusa!

[David]

Vulcan spent over $700,000 (may be as much as $900,000) spreading a smooth PR sales pitch. The AAME quoted actual passages from the documents being voted on. The two sides do not match.

Between Vulcan's sales pitch and the actual documents, which of the two do you believe is in Azusa's future?