Clark County commissioners vote to oppose planned quarry

A proposed gravel quarry in the Las Vegas Valley's southern tip has a new opponent: the Clark County Commission.

Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday on a resolution to oppose a gravel pit that two companies want to dig at a 640-acre site several miles from Sun City Anthem.

Mexico-based Cemex and Service Rock Products, based in California, hope to scoop out sand and rock for construction concrete. They would lease the land from the Bureau of Land Management.

Residents have assailed the proposed mine, saying they would have to endure heavy dust, blasting, truck traffic and grinding machinery for as long as 20 years.

"This is obviously something that ... affects the quality of life for a lot of people," Commissioner Rory Reid said.

When Commissioner Steve Sisolak met with neighbors last month, about 5,500 residents had signed a petition opposing the quarry.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., as well as Reps. Dina Titus, D-Nev., and Dean Heller, R-Nev., oppose the project.

Mike Ford, a Service Rock consultant, has argued that the fears are unfounded. The mine would operate on land deemed suitable for this use, and it would be subject to strict environmental standards, he said.

BLM is doing an environmental impact statement on the site. The agency expects to have a draft report available this fall for public comment before making a final decision in mid-2010.