Monterey council members take action over controversial Cemex plant

The Monterey City Council voted unanimously to send a letter to the Coastal Commission urging the commission to stop the Cemex sand mining operation.

On Tuesday night, several people urged the council to send a letter to end the operation.

In a 5-0 vote, the council then approved sending the letter asking the Coastal Commission to intervene.

Council members also expressed concerns about the ongoing loss of beaches in the area.

The Cemex plant in Marina has not been shut down despite the California Coastal Commission ruling that sand mining operations there violated state regulations.

Some people on the Central Coast do support the Cemex plant saying it provides jobs and helps the local economy, but many environmentalists, activists and scientists have protested against the controversial plant.

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Click here to watch a special report on the Cemex Plant and click here for more on a protest on the sand mining operation in January.