STOP the Government Tank Sand & Gravel Pit
No New Mines Near Homes ... Anywhere.
Map image source: Fain Signature Group
New Sand and Gravel Mining Operation
FSG seeks to re-zone a 40 acre parcel currently zoned "Residential" to install a new sand & gravel mining operation. It involves periodic blasting, silica dust, noise from dump trucks along a 4.5 mile dirt haul road.
For health and other reasons, the mine is OPPOSED by hundreds of residents within a 5 mile radius.
Image Source: Voter-approved General Plan 2035
Lessened Quality of Life for current & future generations
Village PAD A-1 = 1,940 acres. In the 1980s this was zoned for a future Residential Community.
Based on that plan and promise, people bought their homes nearby, NOT EVER anticipating a working gravel pit instead!
If re-zoned, the initial 40 acre mine could conceivably expand to the remaining 1600 or so acres.
No Sand & Gravel Pit Mines Near Homes
About Us
Local Prescott Valley citizens and nearby residents who OPPOSE the proposed AP&S sand and gravel pit mining operation being installed at the FSG owned Government Tank location. The mine and planned 4.5 mile gravel haul road are too close to long-established residences and communities.
Our beautiful valley is known for its quiet, peaceful lifestyle, clean air, rural residential family neighborhoods and friendly people -- and we want to keep it that way.
Impacted areas
Contrary to local press, StoneRidge is not the only impacted community. All of the following communities are within the 4.5-mile impact radius: StoneRidge, Prescott Country Club, Raven Ridge, Dewey-Humboldt, 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 nearby.
Our position
- NO new mining / gravel pit operation 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. Other site options located farther away from existing homes must be sought.
- 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 regarding possibly mining Fain Park area if FSG doesn’t get the GT site. It’s important to know The Town of PV has owned Fain Park since 2002, previously allocated tax dollars to improve it, but later withdrew the funds. Why?
- Unnecessary Conflict: FACT: NO one in StoneRidge or elsewhere wants this new sand / gravel pit / haul road operating near their home. It will NOT enhance 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 effects 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' unless a third, more remote site is chosen.
- Water, precious water. Prescott Valley and the surrounding areas already have water supply 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. Gravel pit hours of operation are said to be 7 AM to 7 PM, 5 to 6 days per week. Operation includes periodic blasting, beeping miscellaneous heavy equipment followed by rumbling dump trucks on the new 4.5 mile dirt haul road, causing more airborne silica dust.
- 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 below warning of respiratory health risks by Dr. Wolf.