Interview with activist against proposed strip mine on La Bajada Mesa!
Channel: 0ccupyNewMexico
Date: 18/03/2014

A mine application for 50 acres of La Bajada Mesa has been submitted to Santa Fe County. The proposed mine is in a historic landmark that the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance (NMHPA) has recognized as one of New Mexico's "Most Endangered Places."

The application aims to strip the basalt cap—according to their figures—to a depth of 61 feet, and crush it for gravel use for a proposed 25 year period using blasting, multiple crushers, and hauling trucks. 

In order to mine, they need water, largely to control the dust and air pollution that a strip mine would create. The mine applicants are pursuing at least two avenues. The first is to secure and transfer water rights from elsewhere in the state. The second, more recent move, proposes to purchase water directly from the county near the prison facilities on highway 14 and haul that water to their mining operation on La Bajada Mesa. 

The mining application proposes to use almost a million gallons of our increasingly scarce water, per year for 25 years, while destroying an iconic landmark and diminishing the quality of life for all county residents and visitors.

Learn more about the movement to save La Bajada Mesa at http://www.SaveLaBajada.org