Homes, mining just don't mix
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
WITH the healthy rise of property values in the lesser-known foothill towns, the last thing residents there need is more mining to bury their economic success. Yet, whether directly or indirectly, that is exactly what mining operators Vulcan Materials Co. are proposing to do to Duarte and Azusa. The expansion of Vulcan's already disruptive mining operations at the entrance to San Gabriel Canyon the region's most majestic natural wonder is an audacious request. Aside from the obvious damage to the environment, the company's proposal to mine an additional 80 acres on top of the already 190 acres it has permits to mine should most certainly be denied on grounds that more mining would hurt the region economically, first and foremost, and environmentally, second.
At a time when Azusa and Duarte are experiencing tremendous upswings in property values and are poised to expand their commercial bases, more mining will drive away investors and drive down property values. At best, the additional mining will put a cloud over these towns' economic futures.
Yes, mining was part of the reason for the success of these cities. But so was agriculture; you don't see requests for more orange groves and fruit packing in the Valley in the 21st Century. In fact, Monrovia Nursery Co. is moving out of town, allowing for more housing in what will be the San Gabriel Valley's most sought after new housing community in half a century.
In the more recent past, Azusa saw growth from defense contractors, which also led to some of the worst groundwater pollution in the nation. Now, mining operations have been linked to dust and air pollution; in particular, they create particulates that not only collect on cars and window sills but also deep inside the lungs as irritants or worse, disease-causing agents. These operations do better away from families, schools and playgrounds, away from the elderly, from hospitals and assisted-living centers.
Unless specifically zoned away from residences, these are incompatible uses. It doesn't matter who was there first. The law must protect the people their livelihoods and their health. It just no longer makes for good planning to continue let alone expand mining operations in a mostly bedroom valley of 1.8 million people.
Mountain Cove three years ago ushered in a new era in Azusa. Upwardly mobile homeowners are changing the city's economic numbers for the better. Before them, the Fish Canyon folks in Duarte took to foothill living and now don't want to see their lifestyle threatened, nor their health.
Likewise, the future Rosedale project soon to rise in the Azusa foothills where the nursery once stood will continue the metamorphosis from agricultural/industrial to metropolitan/suburban.
The expansion of Azusa Pacific University also is turning this once-sleepy area into a sophisticated metropolitan region. The coming of the Gold Line foothill extension will service commuters along a bustling economic corridor. Adding more blasting, more digging, more trucks and more dust amid the new, upscale homes and university students is simply bad planning.
The Duarte City Council asked for a pictorial diagram Tuesday night. It wanted to see how this additional mining would affect its residents. The city of Azusa has the ultimate say. For the good of all San Gabriel Valley residents, it should say no.
All information and images provided by Save Van Tassel
Citizens United to Save Van Tassel Ridge
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