After years of battle pitting Sanger residents against a mining company, the Fresno Planning Commission voted “no” to the proposed gravel mining project on Jesse Morrow Mountain, east of Sanger.
The public hearing broke out in cheers and applause.
“Give me hope for the future of our planet,” said Toni Pacini who spoke out against the project.
The planning commission voted 4-3 against the proposed sand and gravel mine.
The mining company “CEMEX” wants to extract 1.5 million tons of aggregate material a year for up to 50 years. Opponents say the project would pollute and destroy 155 acres of land… a mountain sacred to the Choinumni Indians
"It is a mountain where Choinumni ancestors are buried so CEMEX blasting this mountain is like CEMEX blasting your grandfather or grandfather's cemetery,”
The mining company argues the project would supply the valley with aggregate building material and jobs.
CEMEX Spokeswoman Sara Engdahl says, “A lot of the accusations brought up against the project today were baseless and exaggerated and we hope to be able to address those at the next step in the process.”
