As a result of an effort led by Rep. Steve Knight (R-CA) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the omnibus federal spending bill recently signed into law by President Trump includes language that is designed to prevent additional mining in Soledad Canyon beyond what could be allowed under the existing CEMEX contracts, whose cancellation is under review by the Interior Board of Land Appeals. [Click on headline to read more]
While this does not end the possibility of a massive gravel mine in Soledad Canyon, it does appear to limit the potential for additional mining beyond what would be allowed under the CEMEX contracts, should the IBLA approve CEMEX’s appeal of the BLM’s decision to cancel them. Here is a link to a local news story on the legislation: https://scvnews.com/2018/03/23/knight-feinstein-succeed-in-killing-cemex-mining-in-soledad-canyon/