December 16, 2009 -
Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) today announced the introduction of the Soledad Canyon Conservation and Management Act (H.R. 4332), legislation that aims to resolve a mining dispute between the City of Santa Clarita and CEMEX USA (CEMEX). “After years of collaboration and deliberation, I’m pleased to announce the introduction of an enhanced legislative proposal that fulfills the needs of Santa Clarita and CEMEX, while also benefitting Southern California,” said McKeon. “With the help of the City of Victorville and the County of San Bernardino, we have reached a good agreement. From here, I will begin the intricate process of sheparding the measure through an uphill federal legislative process.”
McKeon’s legislative proposal would require the Secretary of the Interior to immediately cancel two ten-year Soledad Canyon mining contracts that CEMEX has with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), thereby ending the possibility of large-scale mining at the Soledad Canyon site.
"The City Council is deeply appreciative of Congressman McKeon's perseverance and diligence in crafting thoughtful legislation that reflects the needs and environmental concerns of his district," said Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste.
Under the legislation, the Secretary of Interior would determine the fair market value of the cancelled contracts and would sell BLM lands near Victorville. No mining would be allowed on these lands, and sale from the proceeds would compensate CEMEX for the cancellation of mining contracts. Furthermore, the Act allows the Secretary of Interior to acquire environmentally-sensitive California lands for preservation. The land that would be sold under the legislation was carefully selected to ensure no environmentally-sensitive lands will be sold for development as part of this bill.
"We're pleased Congressman McKeon has once again taken a leadership role in advancing legislation that offers a positive solution to the City and CEMEX for the Soledad Canyon project. We are eager to work with the Congressman, California's Senators, the City of Santa Clarita, and others in pursuing its success in 2010," said Gilberto Perez, President of CEMEX USA.
In 1990, CEMEX leased the rights to mine Soledad Canyon for sand and gravel from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The City of Santa Clarita and CEMEX announced a truce in February 2007 and agreed to seek a legislative solution that would result in an acceptable outcome for all parties. The Soledad Canyon Conservation and Management Act is the product of this close cooperation and the desire for a mutually agreeable solution.
###
