Background
The CEMEX Rockfield Project includes two sites: the Quarry, located south of Lost Lake Park, and the Plant, located just south of Ball Ranch. Mining at the Quarry started in 1913.
A hole deep enough to fit this 43 story, 600 ft tall high rise is proposed for the San Joaquin River bottom. Photo Credit: Nicolas Janberg. Image accessed from Structurae .
Project Summary
The expansion includes the following changes:
- Extension of mining for 100 years.
- Change in technique from mechanical (digging) of sand and gravel to blasting hard rock and crushing it into gravel.
- Increase in depth of mine to 600 feet below ground surface (BGS)
For context as to the scale of 600 feet, we identified the San Francisco high rise depicted here. Located at 50 Fremont Center, the building reaches 43 stories into the San Francisco skyline and is 600 feet tall. If the CEMEX Rockfield Expansion Project moves forward, a hole deep enough to fit the entirety of 50 Fremont Center will scar the San Joaquin River bottom.
What's Next?
Fresno County staff and project consultants are currently reviewing and preparing responses to the hundreds of public comments received on the Draft EIR. This process takes an indeterminant amount of time before the final documents are ready for hearing.
Once the final EIR is complete, Fresno County will provide notice of a public hearing before the County Planning Commission, where the public will again have an opportunity to comment on the project. The Trust is following this process closely and will continue sharing information as it becomes available.
Your donation will directly support the Trust's work to oppose the project and advocate for protecting the San Joaquin River's wildlife, water quality, ecosystems, and recreational resources for generations to come.
