| |
|
Spring 2002 Bulletin
Agreement Reached to Protect Wild and Scenic Río Grande
In the lawsuit, Amigos Bravos alleged that The dust, pollution, noise, vibrations, traffic, and piles of exposed rock generated by the gravel mine’s operations have had, and continue to have, a significant impact not only on the scenic values/aesthetic beauty of the Río Grande Gorge area, but also the region’s solitude, the public’s opportunity to enjoy recreational pursuits, and the outstandingly remarkable bird and wildlife species that inhabit the Gorge area, including a number of raptor species which nest on the canyon walls near the mining site.
Amigos Bravos and the Bureau of Land Management have reached a tentative agreement on the restoration of a 42-acre gravel mine that was degrading the values of the Río Grande Wild and Scenic River corridor. The agreement is part of the settlement of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act citizen lawsuit Amigos Bravos filed against the BLM on September 5, 2001.
The tentative agreement calls for the full reclamation of the mine to be completed by August 15, 2002. Reclamation activities will include:
1. All equipment will be removed from the site
2. Waste rock and overburden material will be placed into the pit and all slopes will be recontoured to a maximum steepness of three horizontal to one vertical
3. The entire site will be covered with eight inches of soil and seeded
4. The entire site will be graded so that it does not protrude above the horizon as seen from the High Bridge
5. The site will be monitored for noxious weeds
The quick turnaround time from filing the lawsuit to settlement is a welcome change, and speaks well of BLM’s concern with correcting the situation. Amigos Bravos thanks the Western Environmental Law Center and all of you who have ßsupported our efforts on this issue.
Please return to the Spring 2002 Bulletin Index.
Return to the Amigos Bravos Home Page.