Want to go on a field trip to a mine?

Granite Construction has graciously offered area residents “field trips” to their Indio mining location to help alleviate any fears area residents may have over their plans to open the largest open-pit mine of its type in the nation on Fallbrook’s northern border. This is Granite’s “showcase” mine.

I encourage all Fallbrook residents to take Granite’s offer and travel to Indio for a truly educational experience. Once there, I suggest you ask a few pertinent questions, such as:

1. Why have you brought me all the way here to show me this sand and gravel operation when you’re planning to open a 1,000-foot-deep hard rock blasting pit mine operation near Fallbrook? You don’t do any blasting or rock crushing here, right?

2. This site does not appear to have the same impact on the environment as a Wal-Mart. Was that a small Wal-Mart or a large Wal-Mart you were referring to in your media campaign when you stated that’s all the impact your pit mine would have on our area?

3. Why has Senator Hollingsworth written a letter to the Riverside Planning Commission urging them to approve your pit mine application on Fallbrook’s border? Isn’t that a little premature?

4. Do you consider Congressman Darrell Issa’s refusal to make a public statement either for or against your pit mine proposal a de facto endorsement project?

5. What effect will the opening of the largest open-pit mine of its type in the nation have on the value of my humble Fallbrook home?

You may want to prearrange alternate return transportation to Fallbrook. If you prefer to save yourself the hassle of traveling all the way to Indio but are still curious abut what effect a sand and gravel operation has on the environment and surrounding property values, I suggest you drive up the I-15 toward Corona. As you approach the Corona area, look off to your right. You can’t miss it.

Scott Millen