ANTONOVICH ATTACKS MINE.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Setting the stage for a showdown later this month, county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich on Wednesday criticized a proposed gravel mining operation in Soledad Canyon, saying company officials have been unresponsive to residents.

Speaking during a breakfast meeting with the Santa Clarita City Council, Antonovich said the officials from Transit Mixed Concrete of Azusa were arrogant and unwilling to include the county, city and community in their plans to mine 83 million tons of sand and gravel on land leased from the federal Bureau of Land Management.

``They said, 'Take it or leave it,' and we're prepared to leave it,'' Antonovich said.

But a company spokesman said TMC has been open to suggestions about the mine, planned for 460 acres south of the Antelope Valley Freeway, between Soledad Canyon and Agua Dulce Canyon roads.

``We are very willing to work with the county, and have done so for 10 years,'' said Brian Mastin, TMC's environmental affairs manager.

The Board of Supervisors has scheduled an Oct. 24 hearing on the mining project.

Company officials believe federal law prevents the county from rejecting the mine.

And the County Counsel's Office advised the supervisors earlier this month that they cannot deny the project unless the company fails to make all reasonable environmental mitigation measures.

Mine opponents have rejected the company's assertions that the project will not harm the environment.

``The congestion on the (freeway) is going to be unreal,'' Antonovich said. ``They say that rail haul is too expensive, but that's a viable alternative.''

Antonovich is among 20 individuals, agencies and organizations that have appealed the federal government's approval of the mine, which critics say will harm the Santa Clara River area, pollute the air and choke the freeways with traffic.

``The proposal has substantial problems, and I think we stand a good chance of a court ruling in our favor,'' Antonovich said.

The city of Santa Clarita is marshaling its opposition to the mine, which will officially kick off with a rally at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Canyon High School.

City officials have asked the Board of Supervisors to postpone the Oct. 24 hearing on the mine for 120 days to allow them more time to gather information on the impacts of the mine.

``No one has analyzed the effect of allowing a project like this into an urban area,'' said Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste. ``It would be devastating, and will degrade the tax base.''

Antonovich said he did not think the other supervisors supported the delay, but pledged that the mine would not be approved before all questions have been answered. Conal McNamara, one of Antonovich's aides, said he is working behind the scenes to delay the hearing.

``We'll move slowly,'' Antonovich said. ``We won't ramrod this through.''