COUNCIL DIGGING IN AGAINST GRAVEL PIT.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - A City Council vote to fight the massive sand and gravel mining pit proposed in Canyon Country offers more symbolism than substance, but it sets the stage for the battle against the 460-acre mine.

The council approved the resolution of opposition in an informal poll Tuesday and was due to vote on it later in the day. All of the council members have gone on record opposing the mine, planned south of the Antelope Valley Freeway and between Soledad Canyon and Agua Dulce Canyon roads.

``We were hoping that we wouldn't have to do this,'' said Maria Rountree, the city's intergovernmental affairs officer. ``But we had no choice.''

The council has set aside more than $1 million to fight the mine, which has already been approved by the federal Bureau of Land Management. The council, representing the city, is one of 20 agencies, individuals and organizations that have appealed the BLM decision to allow Transit Mixed Concrete of Asuza to dig deeper into the Soledad Canyon hillside for the ingredients needed to make concrete.

City officials have said that the mine will harm the Santa Clara River, threaten the area's water supply, choke the freeways with truck traffic and degrade the air quality.

Brian Mastin, TMC's environmental affairs manager, said the mine will provide desperately needed resources for the construction industry in the San Fernando Valley and Orange County, without harming the environment.

The fight over the mine is expected to end up in federal court after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors decides whether to issue TMC a mining permit next month.

In addition, TMC has also applied for several other permits, including one from the state water board to draw from the Santa Clara River.

City officials have pledged to file a lawsuit if those permits are issued.

TMC officials, however, believe a 1916 law allows them to mine the land without a permit from local agencies.