Taking the fight against Cemex sand mining…to Berkeley

More than a dozen people from the Central Coast are heading to Berkeley to speak to the State Lands Commission.

Despite a cease and desist order from the California Coastal Commission in April, the Cemex sand mining plant in Marina continues to operate.

Oceanography professor Edward Thonton says because of the sand mine, Southern Monterey Bay has the highest erosion rate on average in all of California.

Concerned citizens like Francie Mitchell are now taking the fight to Berkeley.

“We’re going to be going to the State Lands Commission. Myself as a citizen, as well as members of Surfriders and Save Our Shores want to talk to Gavin Newsom and the commissioners about the responsibility that we feel they have to the citizens of California to protect our beaches. They are a hugely important natural resource to the state of California,” said Francie Mitchell.

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

Some people on the Central Coast 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.

In a statement released earlier this year, Cemex said: “Cemex is committed to operating in a sustainable and conscientious way.”

The meeting begins at 1:00p.m. Thursday.