WHEREAS, The Santa Clara River constitutes the last natural-flowing river in southern California; and

WHEREAS, The Santa Clara River, particularly in the area near Soledad Canyon just outside the City of Santa Clarita, has been identified in a number of studies involving several state, federal, and private entities as having significant ecological natural resources; and

WHEREAS, This stretch of river serves as a habitat for numerous threatened, endangered, and fully protected wildlife species; and

WHEREAS, Among the most significant and most at-risk species present in the area is the unarmored threespine stickleback, a fish on both the state fully protected species list and the federal endangered species list; and

WHEREAS, The Santa Clara River is the primary and only confirmed natural habitat for the unarmored threespine stickleback, and its protection and preservation is vital to the survival of the species; and

WHEREAS, A massive mining project currently proposed along the Santa Clara River in Soledad Canyon would bring one of the nations largest aggregate mines to this pristine natural canyon and deplete water flow from the already drought-taxed river where fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife, including the unarmored threespine stickleback, depend on the flow for survival; and

WHEREAS, The purveyor of the proposed mine, has aggressively pursued all available avenues, including lawsuits against the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles, as well as appeals to the United States Bureau of Land Management and United States Department of the Interior, to complete its proposed mine despite unanimous opposition in the surrounding communities of the County of Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, The completion of the mining project in Soledad Canyon would harm not only the wildlife and river within and downstream of the canyon but also the surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, The mine proposal would include thousands of additional truck and vehicle trips daily on the already congested commuter route, State Highway 14; and

WHEREAS, Congestion on State Highway 14 is already a major source of vehicular air pollution throughout the Antelope Valley region of the County of Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, Vehicular air pollution has greatly impacted the disadvantaged communities of the Antelope Valley and has led to environmental justice inequities for area residents; and

WHEREAS, It is a stated priority of the Legislature to enact policies that protect our natural rivers, our pristine open space, our vulnerable species, our environmental quality in whole, our citizens against environmental injustices, and the quality of life for the residents of California; and

WHEREAS, The proposed mine in Soledad Canyon displays the unique qualities of having a negative impact on all of these, and other, state priorities; and

WHEREAS, Congress in 2018 passed a bipartisan omnibus appropriation bill that was approved and signed by President Trump and included language that prohibited the further development of mining operations in Soledad Canyon beyond the current proposal. It was a clear expression of their opinion of the sites long-term unsuitability for mining; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That it is the intent of the Senate to enact legislation to prevent the further development of the proposed mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate urges the Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation that prevents the further development of the proposed mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate urges the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Bureau of Land Management to deny, in an expeditious manner, all pending appeals and claims before them that would allow the continued development of the proposed mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the United States Bureau of Land Management, and the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, The Santa Clara River constitutes the last natural-flowing river in southern California; and

WHEREAS, The Santa Clara River, particularly in the area near Soledad Canyon just outside the City of Santa Clarita, has been identified in a number of studies involving several state, federal, and private entities as having significant ecological natural resources; and

WHEREAS, This stretch of river serves as a habitat for numerous threatened, endangered, and fully protected wildlife species; and

WHEREAS, Among the most significant and most at-risk species present in the area is the unarmored threespine stickleback, a fish on both the state fully protected species list and the federal endangered species list; and

WHEREAS, The Santa Clara River is the primary and only confirmed natural habitat for the unarmored threespine stickleback, and its protection and preservation is vital to the survival of the species; and

WHEREAS, A massive mining project currently proposed along the Santa Clara River in Soledad Canyon would bring one of the nations largest aggregate mines to this pristine natural canyon and deplete water flow from the already drought-taxed river where fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife, including the unarmored threespine stickleback, depend on the flow for survival; and

WHEREAS, CEMEX, the The purveyor of the proposed mine, has aggressively pursued all available avenues, including lawsuits against the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles, as well as appeals to the United States Bureau of Land Management and United States Department of the Interior, to complete its proposed mine despite unanimous opposition in the surrounding communities of the County of Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, The completion of the mining project in Soledad Canyon would harm not only the wildlife and river within and downstream of the canyon but also the surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, The mine proposal would include thousands of additional truck and vehicle trips daily on the already congested commuter route, State Highway 14; and

WHEREAS, Congestion on State Highway 14 is already a major source of vehicular air pollution throughout the Antelope Valley region of the County of Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, Vehicular air pollution has greatly impacted the disadvantaged communities of the Antelope Valley and has led to environmental justice inequities for area residents; and

WHEREAS, It is a stated priority of the Legislature to enact policies that protect our natural rivers, our pristine open space, our vulnerable species, our environmental quality in whole, our citizens against environmental injustices, and the quality of life for the residents of California; and

WHEREAS, The proposed mine in Soledad Canyon displays the unique qualities of having a negative impact on all of these, and other, state priorities; now, therefore, be it and

WHEREAS, Congress in 2018 passed a bipartisan omnibus appropriation bill that was approved and signed by President Trump and included language that prohibited the further development of mining operations in Soledad Canyon beyond the current proposal. It was a clear expression of their opinion of the sites long-term unsuitability for mining; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That it is the intent of the Senate to enact legislation to prevent the further development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate urges the Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation that prevents the further development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate urges the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Bureau of Land Management to deny deny, in an expeditious manner, all pending appeals and claims before them that would allow the continued development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles; and be it further

Resolved,That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the United States Bureau of Land Management, and the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, The Santa Clara River constitutes the last natural-flowing river in southern California; and

WHEREAS, The Santa Clara River, particularly in the area near Soledad Canyon just outside the City of Santa Clarita, has been identified in a number of studies involving several state, federal, and private entities as having significant ecological natural resources; and

WHEREAS, This stretch of river serves as a habitat for numerous threatened, endangered, and fully protected wildlife species; and

WHEREAS, Among the most significant and most at-risk species present in the area is the unarmored threespine stickleback, a fish on both the state fully protected species list and the federal endangered species list; and

WHEREAS, The Santa Clara River is the primary and only confirmed natural habitat for the unarmored threespine stickleback, and its protection and preservation is vital to the survival of the species; and

WHEREAS, A massive mining project currently proposed along the Santa Clara River in Soledad Canyon would bring one of the nations largest aggregate mines to this pristine natural canyon and deplete water flow from the already drought-taxed river where fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife, including the unarmored threespine stickleback, depend on the flow for survival; and

WHEREAS, CEMEX, the purveyor of the proposed mine, has aggressively pursued all available avenues, including lawsuits against the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles, as well as appeals to the United States Bureau of Land Management and United States Department of the Interior, to complete its proposed mine despite unanimous opposition in the surrounding communities of the County of Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, The completion of the mining project in Soledad Canyon would harm not only the wildlife and river within and downstream of the canyon but also the surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, The mine proposal would include thousands of additional truck and vehicle trips daily on the already congested commuter route, State Highway 14; and

WHEREAS, Congestion on State Highway 14 is already a major source of vehicular air pollution throughout the Antelope Valley region of the County of Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, Vehicular air pollution has greatly impacted the disadvantaged communities of the Antelope Valley and has led to environmental justice inequities for area residents; and

WHEREAS, It is a stated priority of the Legislature to enact policies that protect our natural rivers, our pristine open space, our vulnerable species, our environmental quality in whole, our citizens against environmental injustices, and the quality of life for the residents of California; and

WHEREAS, The proposed mine in Soledad Canyon displays the unique qualities of having a negative impact on all of these, and other, state priorities; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That it is the intent of the Senate to enact legislation to prevent the further development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate urges the Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation that prevents the further development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate urges the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Bureau of Land Management to deny all pending appeals and claims before them that would allow the continued development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles; and be it further

Resolved,That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the United States Bureau of Land Management, and the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SR 96

Author: Wilk (R) and Stern (D)

Amended: 4/17/18

Vote: Majority

SUBJECT: Soledad Canyon

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution declares the intent of the Senate to enact legislation to prevent the further development of the proposed mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles.

Senate Floor Amendments of 4/17/18 add a new legislative finding and make other technical and clarifying changes to the resolution.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. The Santa Clara River constitutes the last natural-flowing river in southern California.
2. The Santa Clara River, particularly in the area near Soledad Canyon just outside the City of Santa Clarita, has been identified in a number of studies involving several state, federal, and private entities as having significant ecological natural resources.
3. This stretch of river serves as a habitat for numerous threatened, endangered, and fully protected wildlife species.
4. The Santa Clara River is the primary and only confirmed natural habitat for the unarmored threespine stickleback, and its protection and preservation is vital to the survival of the species.
5. A massive mining project currently proposed along the Santa Clara River in Soledad Canyon would bring one of the nation’s largest aggregate mines to this pristine natural canyon and deplete water flow from the already drought-taxed river where fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife, including the unarmored threespine stickleback, depend on the flow for survival.
6. The purveyor of the proposed mine, has aggressively pursued all available avenues, including lawsuits against the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles, as well as appeals to the United States Bureau of Land Management and United States Department of the Interior, to complete its proposed mine despite unanimous opposition in the surrounding communities of the County of Los Angeles.
7. The completion of the mining project in Soledad Canyon would harm not only the wildlife and river within and downstream of the canyon but also the surrounding communities.
8. Congress in 2018 passed a bipartisan omnibus appropriation bill that was approved and signed by President Trump and included language that prohibited the further development of mining operations in Soledad Canyon beyond the current proposal. It was a clear expression of their opinion of the site’s long-term unsuitability for mining

This resolution:

1. Declares the intent of the Senate to enact legislation to prevent the further development of the proposed mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles.
2. Urges the Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation that prevents the further development of the proposed mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles.
3. Urges the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Bureau of Land Management to deny, in an expeditious manner, all pending appeals and claims before them that would allow the continued development of the proposed mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/18/18)

Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/10/18)

CEMEX, Inc.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author:

The Santa Clara River as it runs through Soledad Canyon in northern Los Angeles County has been identified in a number of studies involving several state, federal, and private entities as having significant ecological natural resources. Additionally, this stretch of river serves as a habitat for threatened, endangered and protected wildlife species.

Among the most significant and most at risk species present in the area is the Unarmored Threespine Stickleback (UTS), a fish on the California Fully Protected Species List and the federal Endangered Species List. The Santa Clara River, the last natural-flowing river in Southern California, is the primary and only confirmed natural habitat for the UTS and its protection and preservation is vital to the survival of the species.

To that effect, nearby residents have been entrenched in a decades long battle to protect this very segment of the Santa Clara River against a massive proposed mining project that would bring one of the nation’s largest aggregate mines to this pristine natural canyon and deplete water flow from the river where fish, waterfowl and other wildlife depend on the flow for survival.

The inimitable habitat in Soledad Canyon is put at great risk by this proposed mine. The tender ecosystem may well disappear with massive water consumption proposed by the mine’s developer. By protecting this area we can preserve it as a hotbed for biological diversity now and in to the future and save endangered species from extinction.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: CEMEX, Inc writes:

The bill would preclude any effort to appropriate water from numerous areas where the UTS is or is reasonably expected to be found, including the extensive Santa Clara River watershed in Los Angeles County, and watersheds in San Bernardino County, Ventura County, and possibly San Diego County. The impact on local governments, housing developers, agriculture interests, and manufacturers in these areas could be devastating and would be deeply injurious to any notion of fair, but rigorous, environmental permitting processes.

From a broader societal perspective, aggregates are not an extraneous product, they are essential in an industrialized society. California recently adopted a significant transportation package as well as measures to expedite housing but the state has done nothing to expedite the development of aggregate resources. The Legislature must keep in mind that aggregates are necessary for both and that singling out and preventing Soledad Canyon from operating is counter-productive for the state and its future growth.

Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520

4/27/18 12:08:25

**** END ****

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SR 96

Author: Wilk (R) and Stern (D)

Introduced: 3/21/18

Vote: Majority

SUBJECT: Soledad Canyon

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution declares the intent of the Senate to enact legislation to prevent the further development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. The Santa Clara River constitutes the last natural-flowing river in southern California.
2. The Santa Clara River, particularly in the area near Soledad Canyon just outside the City of Santa Clarita, has been identified in a number of studies involving several state, federal, and private entities as having significant ecological natural resources.
3. This stretch of river serves as a habitat for numerous threatened, endangered, and fully protected wildlife species.
4. The Santa Clara River is the primary and only confirmed natural habitat for the unarmored threespine stickleback, and its protection and preservation is vital to the survival of the species.
5. A massive mining project currently proposed along the Santa Clara River in Soledad Canyon would bring one of the nation’s largest aggregate mines to this pristine natural canyon and deplete water flow from the already drought-taxed river where fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife, including the unarmored threespine stickleback, depend on the flow for survival.
6. CEMEX, the purveyor of the proposed mine, has aggressively pursued all available avenues, including lawsuits against the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles, as well as appeals to the United States Bureau of Land Management and United States Department of the Interior, to complete its proposed mine despite unanimous opposition in the surrounding communities of the County of Los Angeles.
7. The completion of the mining project in Soledad Canyon would harm not only the wildlife and river within and downstream of the canyon but also the surrounding communities.

This resolution:

1. Declares the intent of the Senate to enact legislation to prevent the further development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles.
2. Urges the Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation that prevents the further development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles.
3. Urges the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Bureau of Land Management to deny all pending appeals and claims before them that would allow the continued development of the proposed CEMEX mining project in the Soledad Canyon area of the County of Los Angeles.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/4/18)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/10/18)

CEMEX, Inc.

Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520

4/11/18 15:12:55

**** END ****