Van Tassel Creek Watershed Elimination Proposed As Part Of Vulcan Expansion

According to the findings of an analysis released today by A.G.I. Geotechnical, Inc., approximately 50 acres of the Van Tassel Creek watershed will be eliminated by Vulcan Materials Company under its proposed plan to expand its mining operations to the 80 acre site immediately adjacent to the City of Duarte. According to the report, the current Environmental Impact Report (EIR) being considered by the Council does not analyze or mitigate the almost 50 acre reduction in the watershed area. It also states that the EIR does not address the effects that the elimination of Van Tassel Creek will have on the native animal, vegetation or plant life.

The watershed review conducted by A.G.I. Geotechnical, Inc., was commissioned by the City of Duarte and submitted in writing to the City of Azusa in response to the ongoing debate on the validity of the Vulcan EIR and Revised Conditional Use Permit currently under consideration for approval by the Azusa City Council. The Council originally postponed a decision on whether to allow Vulcan to move its mining operations to the west side of its property on April 26 to provide its staff time to review and prepare answers to questions raised in A.G.I.’s initial geology report and other recently received comments on the Vulcan EIR submitted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, City of Hope, and the City of Duarte. The hearing will continue on May 17 starting at 6:30 pm at Azusa City Hall.

Vulcan has a permit from the City of Azusa to mine 190 acres of its 270-acre property. It is seeking approval to move its mining operations from the currently approved 80 acres on the east side of its property to 80 acres on the west above Duarte.

In 2008, the Duarte City Council established a $700,000 fund entitled the “Fight Against Vulcan Expansion” fund (FAVE) in response to the anticipated expansion plans by Vulcan and its potential adverse impact on Duarte residents. For more information about the City of Duarte’s Fight Against Vulcan Expansion activities, call Duarte Deputy City Manager, Karen Herrera at (626) 357-7931, ext. 221.