Local News

COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETS THURSDAY

When the county planning commission meets at 9 a.m. tomorrow the public will have an opportunity to weigh in on a plan to expand mining operations in the San Bernardino National Forest. Omya was cited in 2011 for dumping waste rock from its calcium carbonate mine on a 70-acre parcel in the desert near the San Bernardino National Forest and Lucerne Valley. The land is part of the California Desert Conservation Area and is considered an important wintering area for mule deer. It’s also part of a narrow corridor of public land used by bighorn sheep and the golden eagle, and contains a rare desert spring that supports many species of wildlife and plants. Following a public hearing the commission will consider amending a conditional use permit held by Omya Inc. The company wants to expand operations at two limestone quarries on a 95-acre site about seven-and-a-half miles south of Lucerne Valley and five miles north of Big Bear Lake. The Butterfield and Sentinel Quarries would be mined for an additional 40 and 20 years respectively with the aim of excavating 680,000 tons of limestone annually. Tomorrow’s meeting and public hearing will be held at the County Government Center on Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino.

Omya wants to expand its limestone mining operations near Big Bear and Lucerne Valley. Tom Egan/CA Desert Rep./Defenders of Wildlife photo.
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