STOPCottonwoodSandMine.org
HOW TO HELP NOW
PLEASE DONATE
StopCottonwoodSandMine.org is a 501(c)4 non-profit civic organization.
We are asking all who have an interest in fighting against the Cottonwood Sand Mining Project to donate what you can. Your generosity will support administrative functions (website, domains, fliers, door hangers, yard signs, social media, communications, publicity, video production & general supplies) and the legal action we are employing (Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP) to ensure we STOP this sand mine!
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SIGN ONLINE PETITION
As of 6/16/2025, we currently have 5,760 signatures on our online Change.org petition. Let's share it with everyone you know and surpass 6,000 signatures!
PROVIDE A PRESENTATION TO A GROUP
Click on the link to access a PowerPoint presentation you can use to inform the groups you are connected to about the Cottonwood Sand Mine Project and its dangers.
RECIRCULATION OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) FOR 52-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW (6/29/23 - 8/21/23)
WE NEED YOU
TO SUBMIT COMMENTS TO THE COUNTY BY 8/21/23 AT 4PM
San Diego County released, for public review, the Recirculation of Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Cottonwood Sand Mining Project.
Comments must be sent by 4:00pm on 8/21/23 to:
Planning & Development Services
Attn: Christopher Jacobs
5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92123
Or email to:
Christopher.Jacobs@sdcounty.ca.gov
Comments should reference the project numbers and name. The County encourages written comments to be submitted in electronic format.
COTTONWOOD SAND MINING PROJECT
(PDS2018-MUP-18-023), (PDS2018-RP-18-001)
LOG NO. PDS2018-ER-18-19-007; SCH# 2019100513
Both the Draft EIR and the Recirculated Draft EIR can be reviewed online at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/ceqa_public_review.html and a hard copy of the documents can be reviewed at the Planning & Development Services (PDS), Project Processing Counter, 5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 110, San Diego, California 92123.
Comments on the Recirculated Draft EIR must be received by the County no later than August 21, 2023, at 4:00pm (52-day public review period).
The County will hold an in-person public meeting regarding the Recirculated Draft EIR on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Hillsdale Middle School.
County in-person Public Meeting:
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Hillsdale Middle School
1301 Brabham Street
El Cajon, CA 92019
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE COUNTY REGARDING THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (DEIR)
San Diego County released, for public review, the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Cottowood Sand Mining project.
Comments must be sent to:
Regina Ochoa, Planning Manager
Planning & Development Services
5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92123
Or, emailed to: Regina.Ochoa@sdcounty.ca.gov
Comments on the DEIR should reference the project number and name. The County encourages written comments on the project to be submitted in electronic format.
A hard copy of the DEIR documents can be reviewed at the Rancho San Diego Library at 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019 and the Casa de Oro Library at 9805 Campo Road, #180, Spring Valley, CA 91977.
For additional information regarding the proposed project or scheduled meetings, contact Regina Ochoa, Planning Manager, at Regina.Ochoa@sdcounty.ca.gov
UPDATE (8/2/21)
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO INFORM THEIR NEIGHBORS ABOUT THE PROPOSED SAND MINE AND HAVE THEM SIGN UP FOR UPDATES AND CALLS-TO-ACTION
The County Project Manager, Heather Stevens, says that the developer submitted the third iteration of the Environmental Impact Report documents and that the County is currently reviewing them to finalize. They expect to finish by late Summer or early Fall when there will be a 45-day Public Review period and a Public Meeting to hear feedback from the community. We will need everyone to attend the meeting and provide written comments!
Please inform everyone you know about the proposed sand mine and guide them to the website to sign up on the Contact List. We will send an email when the public meeting date is identified.
COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
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Ronald Ashman - representing District 2/Supervisor Joel Anderson
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Douglas Barnhart - representing District 5/Supervisor Jim Desmond
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Yolanda Calvo - representing District 4/Supervisor Nathan Fletcher
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Michael Edwards, Chairman - representing District 2, Supervisor Joel Anderson
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Ginger Hitzke - representing District 1/Supervisor Nora Vargas
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Tommy Hough - representing District 3/Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer
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David Pallinger, Vice Chairman - representing District 5/Supervisor Jim Desmond
COMMENTS REQUESTED TO GO TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
The San Diego County Planning Commission meets monthly to consider land use projects that affect unincorporated areas of San Diego County.
It's time to VOICE YOUR OPINION and inform the Commissioners about the serious concerns our communities have about the proposed Cottonwood Sand Mine and urge that they recommend NOT to approve the project's Major Use Permit request!
Please address all correspondence to the Planning Commissioners at:
County of San Diego
Planning & Development Services
5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92123
Or E-Mail: Ann.Jimenez@sdcounty.ca.gov
NEXT PUBLIC REVIEW HEARING FOR SAND MINE MAY OCCUR BY END OF YEAR - REQUEST THAT IT NOT BE VIRTUAL!
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT LETTERS/EMAIL TO COUNTY OFFICIALS
We urge all interested parties to contact the County Planning and Development Services and the Board of Supervisors and request that a virtual meeting NOT replace an in-person Public Review Hearing regarding Cottonwood Sand Mine Project, MUP-18-023 Environmental Impact Report. A sample letter has been provided. Please edit to personalize, include your name and contact information, and then email to the addresses included on the sample letter.
ATTEND BOARD OF SUPERVISOR - DISTRICT 2 FORUM ON JANUARY 29, 2020, 5:30PM
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND & SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATES AT UPCOMING FORUM
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Murdock Elementary School
4354 Conrad Drive, La Mesa
5:30pm - Meet the Candidates
6:00pm - Forum
Joel Anderson, Kenya Taylor, Brian Sesko, and Steve Vaus, all running to replace Board of Supervisor Dianne Jacob in East County, will be present for the forum. Since the Board of Supervisors make decisions for East County's unincorporated area, they impact major land use issues such as housing developments, energy projects, mining, parks and preserves. Your voice & vote for the next BOS will make a difference to our community and to our ability to STOP Cottonwood Sand Mine!
PUBLIC COMMENTS REQUESTED
COTTONWOOD SAND MINING PROJECT NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR)
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Submit written comments to Robert Hingtgen, Planner III at robert.hingtgen@sdcounty.ca.gov
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Submit written comments to Wendy Tinsley Becker, Valle De Oro Community Planning Group Chairperson, at wendy@urbanapreservation.com
COLLECT PETITION SIGNATURES
We must show the County decision makers that the community is opposed and will not allow approval. Collect petition signatures from your neighbors, friends and local businesses. Fill out forms completely (so they are valid) and mail to:
STOP Cottonwood Sand Mine, Org.
2514 Jamacha Road #502-155
El Cajon, CA 92019
COMMUNICATION
Join the mailing list so you receive updates on upcoming meetings and when it's time to take action. Tell others to sign up!
Distribute flyer to neighbors and inform them of the Sand Mine proposal and how to join us to oppose it.
CONTACT COUNTY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Written comments should be emailed to Juliette Orozco, Project Manager at San Diego County Planning and Development Services.
Sample Opposition Letter
Add the date, your name, email and address to this sample letter. Edit the letter to include your unique comments. Email letter to Juliette Orozco, Project Planner. Adapt the letter to also send to the Valle de Oro Community Planning Group and to each Board of Supervisor (contact information below).
CONTACT VALLE DE ORO COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP
Share comments with the Valle de Oro Community Planning Group at their monthly meetings. They meet the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm at the Rancho San Diego Library (or by Zoom during these COVID-19 Pandemic months). We will let you know when the Cottonwood Sand Mine project proposal is on the meeting agenda for presentation, discussion or decision.
Submit email comments to Oday Yousif, Chair, at odayyousif@gmail.com
Contact Oday Yousif by phone at (619) 403-0889
CONTACT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Comments should be formally shared with all current San Diego County Board of Supervisors:
Nora Vargas, Vice Chair - District 1, (619) 531-5511, nora.vargas@sdcounty.ca.gov
Joel Anderson - District 2, (619) 531-5522, joel.anderson@sdcounty.ca.gov
Terra Lawson-Remer - District 3, (619) 531-5533, terra.lawsonremer@sdcounty.ca.gov
Nathan Fletcher, Chair - District 4, (619) 531-5544, nathan.fletcher@sdcounty.ca.gov
Jim Desmond - District 5, (619) 531-5555, jim.desmond@sdcounty.ca.gov
