Scott Wilk

I wanted to share with you my recent victory in regards to crafting a “Plan B” to delay the proposed Cemex Mega-Mine in Santa Clarita.

Last year, pressure from Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, and California’s two U.S. Senators resulted in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cancelling Cemex’s mining contracts.

However, Cemex appealed the decision and it could take as long as two years to get a final verdict on whether or not the project will be moving forward.

Thankfully, on Tuesday my Assembly Bill 1986 passed 12-2 through the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee.

This bill ensures that our community has a “Plan B” to delay the Cemex project and preserve our water, air, and quality of life.

AB 1986 would allow the public, for the first time, to provide comments on the Cemex project through a protest period run at the State Water Resources Control Board permit application process.

Cemex’s current water permit is over 25 years old, and was never given a verdict.

I’m hopeful that our community will be successful at the federal level in killing this potentially devastating project. However, my AB 1986 is a “Plan B” that would allow us to make the case with state regulators on why this mega-mine doesn’t work in our community.

As always, please contact my office at 661-286-1565 if you have any questions or concerns.

Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, represents California’s 38th Assembly District.