Hilton Ranch Community Organization

The Rosemont mine will be visible from SR83 for 3 miles out of the 24 mile scenic drive from I-10 to Sonoita. The Three mile segment includes the portion of the highway where it gains its greatest elevation above the surrounding land, at which point drivers are treated to a sweeping panoramic view of the Rosemont valley at an overlook spot (paid for with taxpayer dollars as part of the scenic road). The mine site dominates this view which currently consists of rolling hills of grasslands, dotted with oak trees, and backed by a rugged ridge line. It is one of the most beautiful views on SR83

SR 83 was the second route in Arizona to be designated a Scenic Route. http://www.azdot.gov/highways/SWProjMgmt/enhancement/scenic_roads/scenic_roads_byways.asp

In 2003 the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) published a Corridor Protection Plan for the Sonoita/Patagonia corridor. http://www.azdot.gov/highways/SWProjMgmt/enhancement/scenic_roads/CorridorManagement.asp

The following document http://www.azdot.gov/highways/SWProjMgmt/enhancement/scenic_roads/PDF/cmp_patagonia_text.pdf describes the efforts to preserve this area in the past and actions that need to be addressed. An action plan was created and information on what needed to be done, the organizations that could help, and potential funding was also published http://www.azdot.gov/highways/SWProjMgmt/enhancement/scenic_roads/PDF/cmp_patagonia_appendices.pdf

ARIZONA TRAIL - the proposed route for the Arizona trail will travel between the mine and Highway 83 (about a 1/4 mile from the tailings). At points it will travel along the base of the tailings. I'm sure this site was proposed because it very beautiful and unique.

Questions about scenic impact: I know they want to limit our questions to what they are doing today at Rosemont, but they were very clear in their desire to "explore" Peach-Elgin, Broadtop Butte, and Copper World prospects in the future.

1. If Augusta pursues the Peach-Elgin, Broadtop Butte, and Copper World prospects in the future how could their development combined with the Rosemont mine not drastically impact the scenic views?

2. If they don't plan to develop these mines in the future then will they donate the Peach-Elgin mine, Broadtop Butte mine, and Copper World mine properties to Pima County for conservation before the Rosemont mine proceeds?

Corridor management involves the preparation of a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) which must be completed as part of proposing a scenic byway for national designation. (SR83 was the second scenic road designation in Arizona)

The CMP is an inventory of the corridor's existing conditions including the intrinsic qualities that attract visitors to the corridor. The plan outlines goals and strategies for preserving and enhancing the features of the scenic byway.

3. The Arizona Department of Transportation has spent a great deal of taxpayer money to create a Corridor Management Plan for the Sonoita/Patagonia Scenic route on SR83 and SR82. A vast amount of information is available in this report. Is the ADOT consulted during the approval process and the information they have compiled considered in the approval?

4. Augusta resources makes it clear that the people of Green Valley, Tucson, and Vail will not see the Rosemont Mine. If they have future plans for additional mines in the area shouldn't they be fair to the public and inform them of these plans and their impact? The Peach-Elgin mine will clearly be visible to residents of Green Valley.

5. A group of us visited the area recently and were told by subcontractors of Augusta Resources that there is no trespassing, that it is private land. The road we were traveling was a national forest land road. Many of the roads providing access to national forest land pass through Augusta’s property. Don’t they have to provide access to the National forest land?

6. instead of putting the tailings on the east side of the Santa Rita's, couldn't they be transported to another location that is not within view of the Scenic highway, and right on top of the Arizona Trail?

Archeological Impact

State Route 83 is located in the Cienega/Rincon Subarea of Pima County. Recently 102.4 square miles representing 20.5% of the Cienega/Rincon subarea were surveyed for archeological remains. One hundred fourty two sites from the archaic period (8000 BC to AD 200) and 281 sites from the Ceramic period (AD 200 to 1540) were found.

Recreation Impact

The Eastern and Southeastern areas of Tucson and the entire area of Vail utilize the Sonoita-Patagonia Corridor for their escape from the city. It is within reasonable driving distance and offers a variety of activities including Hunting, 4 wheeling, hiking, bicycling, picnicking, and some the best bird watching in the country. The public in this area may need to travel much greater distances to find these activities.

What can you do to help stop this mine?

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