U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is asking for greater community participation in the U.S. Forest Service process to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed Rosemont Mine.
In a letter to Regional Forester Corbin Newman, the Tucson lawmaker writes that she is concerned that the public was given only seven days notice of the start of the agency required scoping process and that the comment period is limited to only 30 days.
Considering the mine's potential impacts, Giffords reminds Newman that the Forest Service must approach the mine project with a high degree of sensitivity to the residents of the surrounding communities.
Giffords is asking the Forest Service for three additional public informational meetings, an extension of the comment period to 120 days, and the opportunity for community leaders and groups to comment on the environmental impact statement.
For a copy of the letter, click here.