Temecula Quarry Meeting Draws Hundreds
Environmental, spiritual concerns clash with promise of jobs, resources
A public hearing for a proposed rock quarry in Temecula drew hundreds of people Monday, some arguing passionately while others wore orange or green outfits to silently indicate their position on the controversial issue. Craig Fiegener reports.
A public hearing for a proposed rock quarry in Temecula drew hundreds of people Monday, some arguing passionately while others wore orange or green outfits to silently indicate their position on the controversial issue.
Last year, the Riverside County Planning Commission denied permits for Liberty Quarry, which would span more than 400 acres near Temecula and Pechanga. Granite Construction is now asking the county's Board of Supervisors to overrule that decision.
Quarry supporters -- visible in the crowd wearing green hats and shirts -- argue that there's 275 million tons of aggregate, enough for western Riverside County for 50 to 75 years.
"Riverside County needs more aggregate ... for roads, schools and other public facilities," Menifee Mayor John Denver said. "Right now, we're trucking in aggregate from far-reaching places. We're paying for the higher costs associated with that. Having this (quarry) is vital to the sustainability of our region."
Around 100 direct jobs and nearly 200 collateral jobs would be created by the project, according to Granite. Planning commission staff estimated the quarry would add about $341 million annually to local government coffers.
Homeowner and environmental groups, as well as all of the area Indian tribes, are staunchly opposed to the project. Some of those attendees wore orange to Monday's open session.
"The mine will kill that mountain," Temecula City Councilman Ron Roberts said. "The quarry will drain away the ground water and just suck the life out of vegetation ... The gateway entrance to (southwest) Riverside County will be a dead mountain with a one-mile train of trucks heading toward it. Is it really worth a few jobs?"
"This is a religious issue," said Mark Macarro, Pechanga Tribal Chairman. "We believe in the valley, that the valley is where man was created, in Temecula."
Some have rebutted religious concerns by noting the Pechanga tribe has built a golf course and a casino near the land in question.
A final public hearing is set for Feb. 6.
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