City of Santa Clarita and CEMEX Announce a Truce.

Both Will Spend 2007 Seeking a Compromise to Soledad Quarry Project

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- The City of Santa Clarita and CEMEX USA today announced a truce to work together in 2007, taking that time to explore mutually acceptable solutions that will result in a win-win for both parties. The objective of the truce is to find a middle ground that will limit mining in Soledad Canyon, while providing CEMEX with fair and full value for their proposed project.

A four-point agreement was signed by Gilberto Perez, CEMEX USA President and Ken Pulskamp, Santa Clarita City Manager, formalizing the truce. The parties have agreed that all pending processes and permit applications related to the project are not to be advanced from their status as of December 31, 2006. Both parties have agreed to a "cease fire" in the media; and both parties have agreed to hold a joint press conference to announce the truce. Finally, during 2007, the City and CEMEX have agreed to focus their resources seeking mutually acceptable solutions in 2007, which may include federal legislation.

"I am optimistic about the truce and know the City will do whatever it takes to work together in the spirit of cooperation for the benefit of our community. This is a golden opportunity for the City and for CEMEX. Our goal is to protect our community and I believe this agreement is a necessary step to get us there," commented Councilmember Laurene Weste, sub-committee member for the City's CEMEX efforts.

"CEMEX continues to recognize the growing need for aggregate products and remains committed to serving the building materials needs in Southern California of homeowners, contractors and even the State of California for highway and bridge projects," said Gilberto Perez, President of CEMEX USA. "We are, however, committed to this moratorium and are hopeful that this effort will produce positive results for both CEMEX and the City," he added.

The City of Santa Clarita has been fighting the start of a federally approved quarry in Soledad Canyon for more than seven years, while CEMEX has been actively defending its rights, both in the courts and in the public arena.

"We appreciate that CEMEX has demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of our community through the signing of this truce. I am hopeful that this truce will allow both parties to amicably explore the best solution for the mutual benefit of the City and CEMEX. We want to also encourage the community to stay engaged in this process," added Mayor Pro-tem Bob Kellar who is also a member of the City's CEMEX sub-committee.