This just in, from Save the Scenic Santa Ritas.

When I recently watched Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias on Arizona Illustrated, I thought the hope of preventing cement mining in Davidson Canyon was dead. But perhaps not ... most out there familar with Board of Supervisors meetings know that the best way to make a difference is to pack the hearing room:

Note that while this is not directly about the Rosemont Mine, it could cumulatively affect the area. As you may have heard, danger is near for this area from California Portland Cement's proposed Quarry just south of the County owned Bar V Ranch. On July 29, 2008, Pima County issued Cal Portland a Floodplain Use Permit. The Empire Fagan Coalition would like to ask for your support in contacting the Pima County Board of Supervisors to ask them to revoke this prematurely issued Floodplain Use Permit, especially now that Davidson Canyon has just been granted a designation as an Arizona Outstanding Water. If this quarry mine is approved and built, it could make it easier for the Rosemont Mine to come in as well. Please support the Empire Fagan Coalition by writing a letter AND attending the Board of Supervisors meeting next Tuesday.

There is another opinion out there evidently: Pima County can still fight for Davidson Canyon. The county approved the floodplain use permit for AZ/Cal Portland Cement, but the company failed to request the required 404 permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. Evidently, this is needed needed before a flood permit can be issued.

Empire Fagan folks hope people come out to support them at the Pima County Board of Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 9 a.m. Supervisor Ray Carroll is placing on the agenda the revocation of Pima County's flood control permit (issued without Board of Supervisors' approval). The board meets in the hearing room at the Pima County Administration Building, 130 W. Congress St., 1st Floor.

To see the Arizona Illustrated interview with Richard Elias, click on "more."