Lakeside residents organize and strategize to oppose El Monte Sand Mining Project

Lakeside residents gathered on the evening of Sept. 10, to continue efforts in opposition to the proposed El Monte Sand Mining and Nature Preserve project. Like an earlier initial meeting in late July, the organizational event was held at the Lakeside Christian Church, not far from the site under contention for high quality construction sand extraction. Unlike at that kickoff gathering, where discouragement and pessimism were dominant, the mood in the audience this time was encouraged and determined.

Lakeside residents gathered on the evening of Sept. 10, to continue efforts in opposition to the proposed El Monte Sand Mining and Nature Preserve project. Like an earlier initial meeting in late July, the organizational event was held at the Lakeside Christian Church, not far from the site under contention for high quality construction sand extraction. Unlike at that kickoff gathering, where discouragement and pessimism were dominant, the mood in the audience this time was encouraged and determined.

The planned sand extraction and habitat restoration project, slated to begin in 2016 on the San Diego River in El Monte Valley, if approved by local officials, would entail the developers exercising an option to acquire 580 acres of land currently owned by the Helix Water District and mining 30 percent of the property in phases over 15 years. Project planners have expressed the intent subsequently to reclaim and restore the mined areas with a more natural ecosystem balance and improved recreation resources, including better walking and riding trails.

Before the meeting convened, emcee Zack Noonan spoke about the change in El Monte Valley residents’ attitudes.

“Last time, the feeling was, I am as mad as hell, and I won’t let anyone do that in my valley,” he said. “This time, we’re still as mad as hell, but we think we are ahead of the curve, and analysts say we are winning.”

One objective for the latest gathering was to facilitate communications among opponents of the proposed project. Noonan disclosed that organizers had earlier failed to collect legible email addresses and other contact information from fellow community activists.

“We want everybody who is willing to get involved to be on the team,” Noonan said. “And tonight we have a game plan.”

Noonan further noted that the group, which first took the name “Save El Monte Valley,” has redubbed its members as the El Monte Valley Action Coalition Team. The strategic movement underway is targeted toward establishing a broad team base of local advocates and expanding to a larger “fan base” of outsiders who can be enticed to the valley for recreation and enjoyment of the location’s existing natural beauty. The organizers singled out bicyclists, horseback riders, hikers and photographers for outreach efforts.

Lead panelists at the gathering outlined the decision stages during which Lakeside activists can influence local government officials responsible for approving or nixing the project. Robin Rierdan, executive director of Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy, first distinguished among the various San Diego River-related organizations and agencies with an interest in El Monte Valley. She noted that the San Diego River Conservancy recently received $3 million and is requesting grants this year to spend the money on land purchases.

However, the most urgent matter discussed by meeting panelists was the one-month public review period for submitting “scoping letter” responses to the El Monte Sand Mining and Nature Preserve’s Notice of Preparation document. The clock began ticking on the time for public comments when project planners formally presented the document in August to San Diego County’s Planning & Development Services department, which will be the lead agency preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project under requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The public comment period was to close on September 14. 

Suggested topics of “really difficult questions” for letter writers to ask included such subjects as fire evacuation plans, water use and potential lowering of the valley’s aquifer, air quality degradation through dust propagation and residents’ exposure to valley fever, and traffic safety and road hazards along El Monte Valley Road and Lake Jennings Park Road from increased truck travel to and from the mining and reclamation site. After San Diego County employees write a draft EIR, which will address public concerns that have been raised, a hearing will be called, with another 45-day public comment period thereafter.

Technically, the document under county purview for preparation will be a Subsequent EIR as a Major Use Permit modification and new Reclamation Plan, which eliminates the already-approved golf course use on the location and allows a new sand mining operation. Project developers had received county approval in February 2000 for the El Capitan Golf Course, but that plan was scrapped in favor of the phased sand mining operations, followed by the site being reclaimed for end use as a nature preserve including recreational trails.

The State Mining and Geology Board has declared the El Monte sand a “significant resource” for infrastructure, with specific zoning for mineral extraction, which the county is required to protect in that designation. Such construction-grade sand is rare but is a necessary material for building, as a major component of Portland Cement Concrete, asphalt, plaster and stucco. Lakeside’s six concrete manufacturing plants could be supplied this resource locally, if the development is approved. The planned project is between El Monte Road and Willow Road approximately 0.5 to 2.25 miles northeast of the El Monte Road and Lake Jennings Park Road intersection, in the Lakeside Community Planning Area within the unincorporated area of San Diego County, according to initial county review.