Russell shares Liberty Quarry dilemma with Board of Supervisors

On September 19, Jim Russell, Chair of the Fallbrook Community Planning Group, spoke to the San Diego Board of Supervisors regarding Liberty Quarry in its open forum session. The unanimous vote at the Fallbrook Community Planning Group on September 17 authorized Russell to speak before the Board of Supervisors and ask for their assistance in evaluating the possible Liberty Quarry environmental impacts on Fallbrook. This vote was necessary, because the project is not in San Diego County. “I needed the group’s blessing and could not misrepresent what we’re doing,” said Russell.

He expressed to the board how Fallbrook was in the midst of a Liberty Quarry dilemma. “The dilemma comes from trying to make recommendations to an agency outside of San Diego County,” stated Russell.

According to Russell, when the Board of Supervisors creates community planning groups, these groups must follow their guidelines. “They make it very clear; if you are not doing your job, and there is a lawsuit filed, they won’t represent you, and they won’t indemnify you,” he said.

Russell asked the board if the Fallbrook Community Planning Group could make Liberty Quarry recommendations to the San Diego County Department of Planning and Land Use. If county officials found anything germane in those reports, Russell asked if they could pass it on to the appropriate persons for continued analysis. “The board agreed to those terms,” said Russell. “They directed the Department of Planning and Land Use to accommodate us.”

Creating a Liberty Quarry subcommittee will be on next month’s Fallbrook Community Planning Group agenda, said Russell. If the vote passes, this new subcommittee will review generated reports regarding the Liberty Quarry, and make recommendations to San Diego County referencing any shortcomings and/or concerns. These reports will be forwarded to the Director of the Department of Planning and Land Use and the Deputy Chief Administrator Officer.

“I want to emphasize that this is not a witch hunt. Our initial attempt is not to find a way to deny the project,” said Russell. He continued, “We are looking for ways to lessen the project’s impact on the community of Fallbrook.”

Russell claims that the job of the Fallbrook Community Planning Group is to protect Fallbrook, but doing so within the guidelines of the rules and regulations set forth by the Board of Supervisors.