Folks from Save the Scenic Santa Ritas (SSSR) want you to know the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process began this week regarding the Rosemont Mine. The group circulated a Forest Service press release announcing the process and public meetings that begin next week.

According to the press release, Coronado National Forest Supervisor Jeanine Derby submitted a Notice of Intent for publication in the Federal Register to initiate preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Rosemont Copper Project.

Three initial public open-house meetings are scheduled this month, as follows:

1. March 18, 2008, Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus, 5901 South Calle Santa Cruz, Tucson, Arizona. 7-9 p.m.

2. March 19, 2008, Canoa Hills Recreation Center, 3660 South Camino del Sol, Green Valley, Arizona, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

3. March 20, 2008, Patagonia Union High School, Highway 82, Patagonia, Arizona, 6-8 p.m.

Public comment period runs through April 18, 2008. Agencies or individuals can submit comments by mail, FAX, or email. Mail comments to Team Leader, Rosemont Copper Project, Coronado National Forest, 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, Arizona 85701. FAX comments to (520) 388–8305, ATTN: Rosemont Team Leader; or e-mail to comments-southwestern-coronado@fs.fed.us.

For questions about the public meetings or the comment period, call 388-8300. Questions about the EIS process should be directed to Ms. Andrea Campbell, Forest NEPA Coordinator, at 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701, or 388-8300.