Rep. Chu Statement on Terminated CEMEX Contracts

PASADENA, CA – Last week, the Bureau of Land Management terminated two contracts with the CEMEX Corporation, which would have permitted the company to begin mining in Soledad Canyon, adjacent to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), who was instrumental in calling on the President to declare the area a National Monument and fought against the proposed CEMEX mining, released the following statement:

“The decision by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to cancel the contracts with CEMEX is a victory for our entire area. It is the right choice for the environment, and the right choice for the over 15 million people who live within 90 minutes of the San Gabriel Mountains. The proposed mining operation would have caused irreparable harm to this land that so many of us have fought so hard to protect. In my meetings with leaders and advocates from Santa Clarita, I heard the sincere concern and opposition from those who would be affected the most. Moreover, the City of Santa Clarita, which owns the land in question, has stated their intention to use this area as a northern entry point for visitors to the National Monument. That is why I joined in signing a letter to the BLM to cancel the contracts and personally called on the Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel to intervene when the Soledad Canyon Settlement Act faced uncertainty. Now, thanks to the BLM’s decision, instead of stripping away our area’s natural beauty, we can use this site as a gateway to connect more people to the San Gabriel Mountains. Increased access to this precious outdoor space was one of the main motivations for protecting the San Gabriels and now with this decision, we are one step closer to fulfilling that vision.”