Tucson Field Office
| Contacts: | Diane Drobka | , 928-348-4403 | , diane.drobka@blm.gov | |
| Dan Moore | , 928-258-7234 | , daniel.j.moore@blm.gov |
BLM Approves Quarry Expansion
Tucson, Ariz - In a Decision signed by Tucson Field Manager Brian Bellew on August 20, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved the expansion of a sand-and-gravel pit north of Benson. The Decision was the result of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) based on an Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by the BLM for the proposed project. There is now a 30-day appeal period that ends on September 21, 2009.
Huachuca Concrete Inc. currently operates a 10-acre sand-and-gravel quarry and concrete plant on Ocotillo Road, north of Benson, under a mineral materials sale contract with the BLM. The quarry site consists of split-estate land with federally owned minerals and Huachuca Concrete’s privately owned surface. Huachuca Concrete submitted a plan in 2007 to expand the Ocotillo Road quarry by 21 acres. The BLM’s EA on the proposed expansion was available for a 30-day public comment period that ended June 2009. On August 20, the Tucson Field Office issued a Decision authorizing the expansion of the pit.
In response to public concerns over water use at the pit, which is located within the San Pedro groundwater basin, the Mine Plan of Operations (MPO) has been modified to require the use of a soil binder on haul roads. This change allows for proper dust abatement while reducing water use at the pit by 14,000 gallons per day, more than a 50% reduction in water use over the current operation. Also in response to public concerns, the MPO has been modified to limit operation of the crusher and wet plant to between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily. This change will reduce noise and light impacts of the pit operation on neighboring residents during night and early-morning hours.
A copy of the EA, FONSI, and Decision are available on the BLM’s website at http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/info/nepa/09_projs.html. Copies may also be viewed at the Tucson Field Office, located at 12661 East Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85748. Appeals of the Decision should be mailed to Field Manager Brian Bellew at this address. For more information, contact Dan Moore at 520-258-7234.
The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Tucson Field Office 12261 East Broadway Tucson, AZ 85748