WILLIAMS, Arizona — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors opposes proposed pozzolana mining at Mount Bill Williams.
On April 7, the Board of Supervisors issued a statement opposing Drake Cement’s intention to mine pozzolan for its cement operations in Paulden, Arizona. The supervisor also submitted a letter to the US Forest Service opposing the exploration phase of the project.
“We recognize that pozzolana mining is an important commodity in today’s cement market, and while we are not against pozzolan mining in general, we do oppose mining in this sensitive location.” said the supervisor.
In the letter, District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstmann, District 4 Supervisor Judy Beghey, District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vazquez, District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler, and District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan. signed.
District 3 includes Bill Williams Mountain and the town of Williams.
“Coconino County is home to the Navajo, Hopi, San Juan Southern Paiute, Havasupai, Kaibab, and Hualapai tribes,” the supervisor said in the letter. “We are concerned about the potential consequences of mining in this sensitive mountain and unique landscape, which is considered a qualifying heritage site, sacred site and traditional use area for several tribes in the southwest. doing.”
Supervisors also noted environmental concerns about the proposed digging of trenches to find pozzolans.
“The riverbank area runs through the area where survey trenches are proposed,” they said. “About five species of sensitive plants may occur in the exploration area. If individuals are not identified and protected, they may be harmed during vegetation removal.”
Exploratory proposed trenches are also within the designed critical habitat of the spotted owl of Mexico.
“The Endangered Species Act dictates that all federal agencies seek to protect listed species,” they said. It’s an activity that can have an impact.”
The Bill Williams Range is an important watershed for the City of Williams’ drinking water supply.
“The Cataract Creek watershed, which lies within the Drake Cement concession, is a vital source of clean water for the City of Williams and its economy,” they said. “There is an important link between reforestation and improved watershed health and quality.”
Supervisors noted the impact on the U.S. Forest Service’s efforts to restore forests to reduce devastating wildfires.
“A study conducted in 2017 by JE Fuller Hydrology and Geomorphology on behalf of the County Flood Control District concluded that the City of Williams would suffer severe post-wildfire flooding and debris flows if a wildfire were to occur. I was taken,” they said. “In fact, the study found Mount Bill Williams to be one of the most sensitive areas of the county’s 18,611 square miles to the potential for post-fire flooding that could have a devastating effect on the City of Williams. It shows that there is one.”
Supervisors noted a $6.8 million investment from Coconino County to reduce the threat of wildfires through a mountain reforestation process that began in 2019.
“Mining in this vulnerable site jeopardizes the aggressive investment of local taxpayers to mitigate risks and threatens the viability of future investments,” they said.
In 2025, Coconino County Public Works will begin paving and improving Perkinsville Road, the only paved road to public land south of Williams. The road is an important bridge connecting Coconino County to the rest of the region, serving residents, tourists, and federal land management activities.
“As the volume of heavy trucks from operating mines increases, the projected 20-year traffic volume for which the asphalt section is designed is compressed into much shorter intervals than the 20-year period, so the 20-year life expectancy is significantly reduced. shortened to ,” they said.
Mining activity will also adversely affect people living in and visiting rural areas where there is currently little or no truck traffic, increasing noise pollution and dust adjacent to roads, supervisors said. rice field.
The county recognized Bill Williams Mountain as an important gateway to the Grand Canyon and important to tourism and recreation in Williams.
“For these reasons, the county is against exploration and mining on Mount Bill Williams, and instead recognizes that there are suitable sites in the area for this activity,” they said. “Developing a mine at Mt. Bill Williams, located near the city of Williams and in a basin that forms part of the iconic Coconino County landscape and provides an important source of drinking water for Williams residents, is a perfect fit. It’s not a nice place.”
