By Tony Davis | Arizona Daily Star
Four environmental groups sued the U.S. Forest Service Monday, charging that its approval of the proposed Rosemont Mine violated 10 environmental laws and seeking to have the approval overturned.
The 75-page lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, directly challenges the service’s statement in its June decision approving the mine that it won’t violate environmental laws.
The Forest Service has long stated that it can’t say “no” to the mine as long as it meets all applicable federal laws and regulations.
Coronado Forest Supervisor Kerwin Dewberry declined to comment on the suit Monday, saying the agency typically doesn’t comment on pending litigation except in formal legal responses.
The suit alleged that the mine would violate various water laws and standards, for instance, by reducing flows to Cienega Creek and its tributary Empire Gulch.