Congressman Steve Knight, who a year ago unveiled a bill to block future mining in Soledad Canyon, re-introduced the bill this week in hopes of ensuring Cemex or any other mining company would have no chance to mine in the area.
“We’re still hoping we get a favorable decision,” Knight told the Signal Thursday. "And, if we get a favorable decision this would remove the mineral rights from the equation,” he said.
“Ultimately, we don’t want any mining in the area,” Knight said. “And this bill is hardest hitting of all the options.”
Knight’s Soledad Canyon Consistency Act would withdraw the mineral rights for the eastern portion of the Santa Clarita Valley, effectively blocking future mining projects in the area.
On Thursday, he re-introduced a bipartisan measure in an effort to prevent Cemex or any other company from mining in Soledad Canyon. The Soledad Canyon Consistency Act, co-sponsored by nearby Representatives Judy Chu, Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Brad Sherman, would withdraw the mineral rights for land in the eastern portion of the Santa Clarita Valley, effectively blocking future mining projects in the area.
“Preventing Cemex from breaking ground on this mine is a top priority for me and many in our community,” Knight said in a prepared statement sent out in a news release. “This bill will apply additional pressure and build momentum toward our goal of providing consistency, safety, and peace of mind to the people of the Santa Clarita Valley,” he said.
The reintroduction is the latest in a long series of actions by Knight and other local leaders to thwart Cemex’s plan to mine in the Santa Clarita Valley.
