SANTA CLARITA JOINS WITH ENVIRONMENTALISTS AGAINST CEMEX.

Byline: PATRICIA FARRELL AIDEM Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- The city has joined forces with activist groups across the nation in its continuing battle to limit the scope of a sand and gravel mine planned in Soledad Canyon.

But a spokeswoman for Cemex-US called its critics' view of sand-and-gravel operations across the country ``distorted'' and said the city was guilty of sour grapes because it had lost court battles against the mining giant.

The newly formed United National Alliance includes environmental groups from Colorado, Ohio, Florida and Michigan who joined Santa Clarita in signing a letter to Gilberto Perez, president of Cemex-U.S. Operations.

The letter released Thursday notes 72,067 air-quality citations against Cemex in Boulder County, Colo.; unresolved permit violations in Fairborn, Ohio; and $1.3 million in state and federal fines levied against Cemex for operations in Charlevois, Mich., along with other complaints.

``These are just a few of the many serious problems Cemex is creating in communities -- pollution problems, health problems, environmental problems, traffic safety problems and property devaluation problems,'' according to the letter dated Monday and signed by Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste and leaders of seven citizen groups.

In all, Cemex has been fined $4.5 million for violations of state and federal water and air quality requirements in at least eight states, according to a city report.

Cemex spokeswoman Susana Duarte responded in a prepared statement.

``This is clearly an attempt from several groups that have lost legal or public cases against Cemex because the law, or public support, was not on their side,'' the statement said. ``Now these organizations are being orchestrated as a group to irresponsibly distort our record of operating responsibly and in accordance with our permits and local, state and federal law.

``We have worked with each of these organizations in the past and are surprised they have taken this approach rather than engaging with us.''

New Mexico environmental officials in July found a dozen violations of air quality regulations and permits at Cemex-operated plant there, according to a report from that state.

In August, the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a complaint against Cemex's Charlevoix, Mich., cement manufacturing plant, now under new ownership, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

The complaint alleges Cemex failed to control dust, did not monitor emissions to ensure compliance and failed to comply with various other requirements at its plant on the shores of Lake Michigan, according to a report from the Attorney General's Office.

A consent decree was entered that includes a $1.36 million fine.

Locally, the company has won county approval to establish a 56.1-million-ton sand and gravel mine north of Canyon Country, outside Santa Clarita city limits along the Santa Clara River.

Signing onto the alliance are Colorado Citizens Campaign, Green Environmental Coalition of Ohio, East Manatee County Coalition of Florida, the Water and Air Team for Charlevoix and Ohio's Parents Against Burning tires.

Cemex, Duarte said in her statement, is in constant dialogue with the 400 communities where it runs facilities.

The company, U.S. operations employ about 10,000 in 23 states, the statement said. Cemex mines sand and gravel, and manufactures cement use for concrete in construction.

pat.aidem(at)dailynews.com

[phone]