LEADERS OPPOSE DUST RULE REVISION SANTA CLARITA OFFICIALS TO TESTIFY BEFORE AQMD.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- Changes to a rule that helps reduce dust emissions from mines like the proposed Cemex quarry in Soledad Canyon face opposition from city officials who will testify at an upcoming hearing on the matter.

Under the rule, mining operations could continue on windy days under some circumstances, but must cease other times unless operators could prove the projects -- bridges, buildings, roads -- would be harmed by the disruption. With the change, excavation would be out but loading and unloading materials would be allowed as long as additional dust control measures are followed.

A mining trade group that sued air regulators after the rule was enacted supports the change, saying the rule was hard to follow and hard to enforce.

``Mine operators generally don't know where the product is going or what it will be used for and even after the product goes out the door, trucks will end up being rerouted,'' said Adam Harper, executive director of the California Mining Association. ``They would not be able to show this batch will go to that bridge project that cannot be shut down.''

Rule 1157 adopted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District in January 2005, requires mine operators to reduce dust from loading and unloading activities, equipment, storage and paved and unpaved roads at the facilities. City officials strongly supported the measure but are concerned about dust control at the proposed 56.1 million-ton Cemex sand and gravel mine on the outskirts of town on windy days.

A settlement agreement reached by the mine trade group and the AQMD in September called for spelling out high- wind rules to allow for loading and shipping materials if proper dust control is used. Under the revised rule, excavation would be halted, unpaved roads would be wetted with water twice an hour unless a chemical suppressant is used, and loose piles of aggregate would be wetted shortly after material is loaded.

Laki Tisopulos, the AQMD's assistant deputy executive officer for planning and rules, said the language will help ``simplify and streamline the implementation of the high-wind exemption.''

The change would apply to about 29 aggregate facilities in Southern California, including Cemex.

City officials say the mine group's hardship argument is a ploy to circumvent the rule's tight controls.

``We think they should have to shut down (in high winds). They think it's an economic hardship because they have clients that require continuous pours, continuous supplies of sand and gravel, where if certain pours are interrupted (the job) is ruined ... so they make the claim they need to have the rule amended,'' said Travis Lange, the city's environmental services manager. ``(Then) the California Mining Association said we don't know who the clients are, where the stuff's going, we can't track it ... it's circular, they can't have it both ways.''

Santa Clarita's often poor air quality is due to smog, which drifts in from the Los Angeles area. The measure was intended to help the area reach a 2006 federally mandated deadline to reduce particulate pollution.

The city has spent more than $6 million battling the proposed 56.1-million-ton Cemex mine beyond city limits on the east side of town, saying it would lessen air quality and create more traffic. Cemex expects to launch its 20-year operation in 2008. In the first decade, 2 million tons of sand and gravel could be mined each year, increasing to 4 million to 5 million tons a year over the next decade.

The city is concerned chloride-based dust suppressants could contaminate and add additional chloride -- salt -- in the Santa Clara River.

The AQMD's Tisopulos, who met with officials from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board on Wednesday, said alternatives to chloride-based stabilizers would be sought.

Much of the sand and gravel excavated at the Cemex mine would be destined for projects in Southern California. Due to high shipping and fuel costs, builders often try to limit deliveries to a maximum 35 miles. California led the nation in aggregate production in 2005, and the mining industry generates about $3.7 billion in production a year.

The AQMD was scheduled to decide on the matter last month but postponed the hearing until today because of the city's concerns. A quorum of board members could not be reached, so the hearing was reset for July 14.

judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com

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