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Action Alert!
Air Quality Permit
Public Comment Period
Hudbay Inc. Open Pit Mine
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has opened a public comment period from July 15th to September 15th to review the proposal to issue an air quality control permit to Copper World, Inc.
This permit is for the construction and operation of Hudbay's Copper World open pit mine project in the Santa Rita Mountains (please review the last two editions of the Living Desert Alliance Newsletters linked below for additional information).
Hudbay is requesting a Class II permit, which is not sufficient for protecting human health, considering the high level of air pollution that would be created by the mine. The Living Desert Alliance, the Coalition for Desert Protection, the Save the Scenic Santa Rita’s Association, and numerous environmental organizations throughout the state believe the ADEQ should require a Class I permit for this project. A Class 1 Permit requires stricter regulations that better protect people and the environment from air pollution should this disastrous open pit mine proposal be approved.
Here are a few reasons to be concerned:
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The proposed mine will create mounds of tailings dust.
- Students at one school in particular, Copper Ridge Elementary (400 students and 50 staff), will be at risk from particulates that will drift into their area
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Copper World Mine will produce miniscule particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, some that are invisible to the naked eye, but all can cause adverse lung and other negative health conditions.
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The proposed mine will drive away unique large animals in the northern Santa Rita Mountains.
Please contact the State of Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and tell them:
“For the sake of our children, our elderly, and all the people of the Pima County, please require Copper World adhere
to the more stringent Class I Permit.”
Click below to learn more!
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MARK YOUR CALENDERS
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ADEQ Air Quality Permit Public Meetings
The ADEQ is sponsoring two public meetings where you can learn more about the air quality permits. We are asking members of our community to attend both meetings in person. Your attendance will make a difference. There is power in numbers!
Community Meeting: This will be an ADEQ Staff Presentation with a Q&A to follow. No public comments will be heard at this meeting.
- Date: Thursday, Aug. 14, 2024
- Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
- Location: Corona Foothills Middle School
16705 S. Houghton Road
Vail, AZ 85641
Public Hearing: Public comments are welcome. Voice your concerns directly to the ADEQ.
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024
- Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
- Location: Corona Foothills Middle School
16705 S. Houghton Road
Vail, AZ 85641
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Presentation: "Secrets of the Santa Rita Mountains."
Dave DeGroot, retired Sahuarita, AZ, teacher, environmentalist, citizen scientist, has gathered stories from years of hiking the Santa Rita Mountains. He will share his "Secrets of the Santa Rita Mountains." in fast-moving presentations in mid-Aug at the libraries listed below.
Save these dates! More information coming soon.
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