By Schmiebel - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
For decades, Lehigh/Permanente Quarry has been mining the foothills on the outskirts of Cupertino. In 1972 Lehigh granted Santa Clara County an easement with the purpose of protecting the ridgeline and the surrounding environment and viewshed. However, Lehigh has consistently violated this agreement. Mining activities have resulted in landslides that eroded the ridgeline, degraded waterways, harmed surrounding wildlife habitat and damaged the viewshed of Rancho San Antonio Park.
On Tuesday, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will consider a referral by Supervisors Simitian and Lee. If approved, the referral will direct County staff to study the potential for joint enforcement authority with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) over the environmental easement. MROSD is an open space agency that owns and preserves land and the environment in the area around Lehigh Quarry. Giving MROSD the authority to help enforce the easement protecting its land would be an appropriate way to stop the ongoing harm.
How can you help?
Please email our County Supervisors and ask them to support the Simitian and Lee referral as a first step to sharing enforcement authority and protecting the environment and the viewsheds surrounding Lehigh Quarry.
Here is a sample email:
To: cindy.chavez@bos.sccgov.org
supervisor.ellenberg@bos.sccgov.org
supervisor.simitian@bos.sccgov.org
BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org
Subject: Help Protect the Ridgeline at Lehigh Quarry
Email: Dear President Wasserman and Supervisors,
[Optional: Say a little about yourself].
I write to ask that you support the referral by Supervisors Simitian and Lee, and ask staff to study how Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District can help enforce the County’s easement on Lehigh Quarry to better protect the environment and Rancho San Antonio Park. The ridgeline protected by the easement has been quarried and eroded for years, with landslides harming waterways and wildlife habitat, and viewsheds damaged. Please support the referral!
Thank you,
Name, City of residence