Panel Rejects Application for Mining Operation

SANTA CLARITA —  Citing the potential negative impact on air quality and visual blight, the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission took the first step Wednesday toward rejecting a proposed mining operation.

“What it boils down to is the quality of life for 250,000 people or the materials the project could produce,” said Commissioner George Pederson, who represents the Santa Clarita Valley. “I happen to lean in the direction of quality of life.”

The project was unanimously rejected by the commission, which will consider it again early next year.

Transit Mixed Concrete officials, who have spent close to nine years developing the project, said they are confident the project can meet environmental standards and plan to appeal the decision to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The Transit Mixed Concrete project proposed to mine 83 million tons of gravel and sand from a 500-acre site near the eastern border of Santa Clarita over 20 years, said Transit Mixed spokesman Brian Mastin.

The city of Santa Clarita opposed the project. Not only was the environmental report “totally inadequate,” but the pit could adversely affect nearby residential areas within city limits, said Santa Clarita Planning Director Jeff Lambert.

Santa Clarita’s state and federal representatives were also opposed to the project. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, state Sen. William “Pete” Knight, and Assemblyman George Runner, all Republicans, had opposed the pit.