The California Legislature has weighed in on an attempt by Asm. Joaquin Arambula (D–Fresno) to block the quarry expansion in Fresno County.
The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources rejected Assembly Bill 1425, denying Arambula’s effort to have the state prevent Cemex from expanding its quarry operations.
The backstory: Cemex is proposing a 600-foot dig at the Rockfield aggregate quarry, a few miles north of Fresno near Friant.
- The Fresno County Board of Supervisors approved a three-year extension to Cemex for its current operations in 2023 as it considers the expansion request.
- Arambula proposed AB 1425 to prohibit pit dewatering in the San Joaquin River Basin in areas shallower than 50 feet below ground, which would have barred Cemex from the 600-foot dig.
The big picture: The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources heard AB 1425 on Monday, with a bipartisan group of lawmakers rejecting it.
- Much of the opposition centered on how the bill would circumvent the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. Arambula had argued that a CEQA draft environmental review – released by Fresno County last December – failed to fully assess the impact of such operations near the San Joaquin River.
- Lawmakers voiced fears during the hearing that this bill would open the floodgates to other groups looking to have their projects circumvent an environmental review under CEQA.
- The bill failed 1-3, with Asm. Robert Garcia (D–Rancho Cucamonga) casting the only vote in support. Assemblymembers Juan Alanis (R–Modesto), Stan Ellis (R–Bakersfield) and Josh Hoover (R–Folsom) voted against it, while other Democrats abstained from voting.
What they’re saying: Committee Chair Asm. Isaac Bryan (D–Los Angeles) praised Arambula for his support of environmental causes, but said the committee has the responsibility to defend the CEQA process.
- “While there’s a draft EIR and the process is still underway, I don’t know if I feel comfortable giving a recommendation yet,” Bryan said. “I also know that this is not an issue that you are going to stop fighting for today, nor should you.”
- Cemex celebrated the decision by the committee to not pass the bill, saying in a statement that Arambula’s bill would have put dozens of jobs on the line.
- “Cemex is pleased that there is bipartisan concern for legislation that would jeopardize over 90 quality jobs, circumvent local control of land use projects, and eliminate a reliable source of construction aggregate essential to economic growth,” Cemex said. “Despite attempts to mischaracterize Cemex’s Modification Plan, the Fresno community can be assured that we are committed to environmental excellence and sustainable practices, maintaining high standards for the benefit of the community and the environment.”
