[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

       By Mrs. BOXER:
   S. 2058. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to cancel 
certain Bureau of Land Management leases that authorize extraction of 
sand and gravel from the Federal mineral estate in land in Soledad 
Canyon, California, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.
   Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am introducing a bill today that would 
terminate two Bureau of Land Management mining leases in Soledad 
Canyon, an area that is adjacent to the city of Santa Clarita in Los 
Angeles County, CA.
   The bill would also prohibit the issuance of any future mining 
leases for sand and gravel in the Soledad Canyon area that exceed the 
historical level of mining, which is estimated to be 285,000 tons of 
sand and gravel per year. Before issuing any future leases in this 
area, the Secretary of the Interior would be required to consult with 
the city of Santa Clarita and take into consideration the environmental 
and traffic impacts of mining. Congressman Buck McKeon introduced this 
legislation in the House of Representatives in November 2003.
   Here is the problem. These two leases in Soledad Canyon would allow 
mining of approximately 56 million tons of sand and gravel over the 
next 20 years. That will mean more dust and air pollution, as well as 
more traffic congestion.
   The residents of the city of Santa Clarita suffer from some of the 
worst air quality in the Nation. The mining in Soledad Canyon would 
occur in an area where State standards for particulate matter are 
already exceeded. Development of these mining leases will worsen air 
pollution by increasing dust and particulate matter emissions. This 
will lead to more respiratory problems, increased doctor and emergency 
room visits, more hospitalizations for cardiac and pulmonary disease, 
and premature deaths for area residents.
   Increased traffic congestion will also result from these mining 
leases. Interstate 5 and State Route 14 are located in the vicinity of 
the mining leases, and State Route 14 is already plagued with serious 
traffic problems. Development of these leases would tremendously 
increase truck traffic in the area, causing further congestion. It is 
estimated that the proposed expansion of mining in Soledad Canyon would 
result in 347 trucks making round trips to and from the site each day 
in the first 10 years, increasing to 582 trucks in the second 10 years 
of operation.
   Due to these serious concerns over impacts on air quality and 
traffic congestion, there is very strong opposition to the two leases 
by the people of Santa Clarita and over 80 organizations in California. 
We need this legislation.
   I believe that local health and safety concerns should not be 
overridden by the Federal Government. Development of these leases 
should not occur to the detriment of the people of Santa Clarita. I 
share Congressman Buck McKeon's interest in working with TMC/Cemex--the 
company that currently holds the leases--the city of Santa Clarita, and 
the Bureau of Land Management to find a resolution that is acceptable 
to all parties and that protects the health and safety of the city and 
its residents.
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