City of Hope Finds “Modifying Existing Mining Area Not Necessary” in Regards to Proposed Vulcan Expansion
City of Hope, the internationally renowned Cancer and Research Center released five critical concerns including requesting a “real-time” air monitoring station be installed on top of its Helford Hospital facility in a letter to the Azusa City Council dated April 15th. Adding, that regardless of what scenario Azusa ratifies, the addition of increased air quality monitoring must be part of the final plan.
After a detailed review of the environmental documents associated with the expansion plan, City of Hope Vice President, Richard G. Thompson penned a letter to Azusa concluding that significant aesthetic impacts exist under the proposed plan as well as the no project alternative. Thus, implementing the proposed project would not result in any significant improvement over the current CUP and modifying the existing mining operation are not necessary.
However, if a project must go forward, the “Alternative Design” scenario developed specifically to address the significant visual impact to the City of Duarte “should be the Proposed Project.” This project would yield similar amounts of aggregate for Vulcan and push back mining 400 feet east of the western boundary in order to leave in-place the natural ridge-line blocking the views of the excavated area. This project was also identified in the DEIR as the “environmentally superior alternative.”
Other comments the City of Hope would like the City of Azusa to consider making Vulcan address in the final EIR include: clarification of its stated objective of “shifting mining to a less visible portion of the Project site which it does not; explaination of the need to halt mining on the east side of the mine when there are still 58.5 acres of undisturbed aggregate available; and how subjecting the Valley to more views of cut mountains will make the proposed project have a less negative impact on aesthetics.
Vulcan is requesting a revised Conditional Use Permit that will allow the company to expand its mining operations from a currently approved and partially mined site on the east side of its 270-acre property to a pristine 80-acre mountain ridge abutting hundreds of Duarte homes and schools.
Videotaped coverage of the AQMD Town Hall, and Planning Commission meetings and recent Congressmember Judy Chu press conference can be viewed on Duarte Public Access (DCTV), Charter Cable Channel 3 in Duarte, and on DCTV on the Web, www.dctvduarte.com.
For more information about the issues surrounding Vulcan’s mining expansion plan, visit www.saveourcanyon.org and/or contact Duarte Deputy City Manager, Karen Herrera at (626) 357-7931.
