Proposed New Sand / Gravel Mining Operation & Haul Road
FSG seeks to re-zone a 40 acre parcel currently zoned "Residential" to "Industrial" for a new Gravel Pit operation involving periodic blasting, Silica Dust, & noisy dump trucks along a 4.5 mile dirt haul road.
This mine is OPPOSED by thousands of residents within 5 mi. radius for health and other reasons. VOLUNTEER!
Health Concerns: Silica dust + wind = air pollution
PV residents, Dr. William Wolf & Mrs. Penelope Wolf warned of the many health risks of Crystalline Silica Dust in their Letter to the Editor, published in the Daily Courier on October 24, 2023.
Videos of typical gravel pit operations show how silica dust goes airborne. Our area is very windy, so it travels easily.
Source, PV General Plan 2035: Village PAD A-1 = 1,940 acres
Is this a "Forever Mine"? Will 40 acres expand to 1600?
In the 1980s this was zoned for a future RESIDENTIAL Community. Based on that plan and promise people bought their homes nearby, never expecting a noisy, working gravel pit and 4.5 mile dirt haul road to be FORCED on them, diminishing their property value and quality of life for ALL current and future generations.
Who benefits? / About Us / Impacted Areas / Position
Q: WHO benefits financially from a new mine at GT - or near Fain Park?
Answer: NOT the good people who live here.
Only FSG/ AP&S stand to gain millions in annual profits for decades to come -- to the detriment of thousands of local residents.
About Us: NoMinesNearHomes.com.
This site is an informational resource only and is NOT affiliated with any PAC, political party or candidates.
We are simply local PV citizens and nearby residents who STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposed re-zoning from "Residential" to "Industrial" for a new AP&S sand / gravel pit mining operation at the 40 acre Government Tank (GT) location owned by Fain Enterprises, Inc.
The proposed mine and planned 4.5 mile gravel haul road are too close to long-established residences and communities and would negatively impact our area for many decades to come.
Our beautiful valley is known for its quiet, peaceful lifestyle, clean air, rural residential family neighborhoods and friendly people -- and we are determined to keep it that way.
Impacted Areas
Contrary to claims by GT mine advocates, StoneRidge is NOT the only impacted community. All of the following communities are within the 5-mile impact radius: StoneRidge, Prescott Country Club, Raven Ridge, Dewey-Humboldt, Blue Hills, Quailwood, Bradshaw Middle School and parts of Granville, Lions Park, Unit 19, Unit 20 and Prescott Valley North.
The people in ALL of these areas have a right to KEEP their clean air, healthy environment, quality of life and quiet enjoyment of their property, inside their homes and out. They should NOT be forced to accept installation of a known health hazard and nuisance nearby.
Our Position - NO Mine Operations Near Anyone's Home
- NO new mining / gravel pit operations or haul roads near ANY residential neighborhoods, whether residents are Prescott Valley voters or not.
- False choice: We do NOT accept the false premise that there are ONLY TWO possible sites for a new gravel pit. FSG owns a LOT of land. If FSG and AP&S want a new quarry, other site options located much farther away from existing homes must be found. The Government Tank site is unacceptable.
- SPDS - In AZ Seller's Property Disclosure Statement forms are required to be provided to buyers during the home purchase process. The form includes "sand/gravel operations". Therefore, StoneRidge homeowners knew of the existing mine operation before willingly purchasing there. About five years ago, FSG and AP&S knew the existing mine would be exhausted and expansion of the site within StoneRidge had been long-planned. That should have been disclosed as well.
- Fain Park is owned by The Town of PV / taxpayers, not FSG. There’s been talk by FSG implying the possibility of closing Fain Park if the GT site is not approved. It’s important to know Norman Fain/Fain Family Trust, deeded the park land to the Town of PV in 1995 and the citizens have owned Fain Park since 2002. Therefore, we believe the threat of losing Fain Park is false.
- Unnecessary Conflict caused by the Town of PV and FSG /AP&S. Fact is, NO ONE in StoneRidge or elsewhere wants this new sand / gravel pit / haul road operating near their home. It will NOT enhance or improve anyone's health, quality-of-life or property values. Quite the opposite is true.
The marketing campaign by FSG, AP&S and a few StoneRidge residents claiming no negative affects from the existing mine, ironically DON'T want the mine expansion near THEIR homes. Instead, they're demanding it be installed near other peoples' homes. This is quickly fueling resentment and growing opposition. NO ONE wants this mine FORCED on them.
Sadly, this issue has needlessly turned neighbor-against-neighbor, dividing our wonderful people against one another. There are no 'winners' except FSG/AP&S profits. A third, more remote site must be chosen.
- Water, precious water. Prescott Valley and the surrounding areas already have water supply and contamination concerns. With three Quailwood area wells already closed due to PFAS -- and low water levels in Lynx Lake, common sense says watering a NEW 4.5 miles of haul road to control dust for many years to come is NOT a wise use of OUR precious water resources.
- Long hours. Noise. Lights. Gravel pit hours of operation are said to be 7 AM to 7 PM, 5 to 6 days per week, "EXCEPT WHEN THERE IS AN INCREASED DEMAND FOR AGGREGATE". Operation includes periodic blasting, beeping miscellaneous heavy equipment and numerous rumbling dump trucks on the new 4.5 mile dirt haul road, causing more airborne silica dust. Doesn't work light pollution after dark violate our "dark sky" requirements?
- Negative Health Impacts – FACT: Prescott Valley is windy year-round. Wind-borne silica dust pollution covers everything and can result in serious respiratory illnesses in people, animals, wildlife, farming / ranching environment. It has been identified as a factor in causing or worsening lung diseases such as Silicosis, Asthma, Valley Fever and more. See letter warning of respiratory health risks by Dr. Wolf.
Water: processing, dust control, runoff, contamination?
How much water will the new mine and 4.5 mile haul road need for dust control for 50+ years?
How much water will the new mine and 4.5 mile haul road need for dust control for 50+ years?
How much water will the new mine and 4.5 mile haul road need for dust control for 50+ years?
Our water is a precious resource!
Adding 40 acres of gravel pit AND a 4.5 mile haul road is a lot of NEW mining operation. Yet, FSG claims approximately the same water amounts will be required as before, but with a new 4.5 mile road, that claim doesn't seem realistic or honest.
Here is the 2024 Water Use Report for Quailwood area source dated March 2025.
To our knowledge, there have been NO third-party independent water requirement studies or disclosures detailing projected water use.
We WERE told by a former P&Z Commissioner that PV Planning and Zoning Commission DOES NOT consider water issues when considering approval of rezoning applications.
(NOTE: On Oct. 31, 2025, a letter was sent to the PV Town attorney requesting documentation to clarify this important matter.)
EPA Mineral Mining and Processing Effluent Guidelines
How much water will the new mine and 4.5 mile haul road need for dust control for 50+ years?
How much water will the new mine and 4.5 mile haul road need for dust control for 50+ years?
"Related Information
- NPDES policy documents for mining facilities
- Stormwater fact sheet (Sector J—Mineral Mining & Processing Facilities)
Mine operators extract minerals from underground mines, surface mines and quarries using machinery and explosives.
Some extraction processes, such as stone quarries, may use large quantities of water. After extraction, many types of raw minerals are then subject to processes such as crushing, milling, washing and chemical treatments.
Wastewater is generated during mineral processing (e.g., stone cutting, wash water, scrubber water), from equipment cooling, from mine dewatering, and from stormwater runoff at mines and processing plants."
Prescott Valley Water Report
How much water will the new mine and 4.5 mile haul road need for dust control for 50+ years?
Prescott Valley Water Report
"EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO)."
PV Contaminants Report:
Legal does not necessarily equal safe.
- Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.
- Legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.
- The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of source water in the first place.
Resources / PV Contact Info.
More resources coming soon ...
Planning and Zoning Commission
PV Planning and Zoning Commission Meetings 2nd Monday of the month at 5:30pm / Library Auditorium."
Email comments to the Town Planning and Zoning Staff, who review projects that are submitted to the Town and present their findings to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Town Council. dsplanning@prescottvalley-az.gov
Email comments directly to the P&Z Commission, who are PV volunteers appointed by the Town Council. Development Services admin. Staff will forward your email to the Commissioners’ personal emails. devserv@prescottvalley-az.gov
Chris Norlock, Development Services Urban Planner, cnorlock@prescottvalley-az.gov
Prescott Valley Town Council and Mayor Tel: 928-759-3100
Prescott Valley Town Council and Mayor Tel: 928-759-3100
Elected in July 2024
Sworn in Dec. 2024
Term ends Dec. 2028
Email: jkiehl@prescottvalley-az.gov
Elected in July 2024
Appointed in Sept. 2024 to fill vacancy
Sworn in for full term in Dec. 2024
Term ends Dec. 2028
Email: kfreund@prescottvalley-az.gov
Council Member Kendall Schumacher
Elected in Nov. 2018
Re-elected in Nov. 2022
Sworn in Dec. 2022
Term ends Dec. 2026
Email: kschumacher@prescottvalley-az.gov
Selected in May 2025 to fill vacancy
Sworn in June 2025
Term ends Dec. 2026
Email: klopez@prescottvalley-az.gov
Elected in Nov. 2022
Sworn in Dec. 2022
Term ends Dec. 2026
Elected in July 2024
Appointed in Sept. 2024 to fill vacancy
Sworn in for full term in Dec. 2024
Term ends Dec. 2028
mzurcher@prescottvalley-az.gov
Elected in Nov. 2018
Re-elected in Nov. 2022
Sworn in Dec. 2022
Term ends Dec. 2026