Parent urges board to oppose Cottonwood sand mine near Hamishaw Elementary, cites silica and truck traffic risks

A parent told the Cajon Valley School District board she fears a proposed sand mine and processing plant a quarter-mile from Hamishaw Elementary would pose health and safety risks for students and staff and urged the board to formally oppose the project.

"The hazards associated with this sand mine cannot be ignored," parent Stephanie Bertu said. She warned that silica — a component of sand — "is a known respiratory hazard" and argued the outdoor environment where children play or eat could be exposed to harmful dust. She also raised valley fever as a potential risk and said heavy truck traffic would be disruptive, saying the project would generate "146 round trips daily of semi trucks" along nearby roads.

Bertu asked the board to share a formal position of opposition with the county planning department and planning commission. County planning staff responded that the draft environmental impact report (EIR) is expected roughly 10 days before the Planning Commission hearing, and staff gave an anticipated EIR date of about April 10 with the planning commission hearing on April 18.

Board members asked for clarification on available materials and whether the district had an updated write-up; staff said the most recent written information in the board packet is the most up-to-date and the EIR timeline was as described by county staff.

Trustees discussed that the county planning process and Valadero (Valadero Planning Group) recommendations are on an accelerated schedule and that the district could consider a future agenda item if the board wants to take formal action or invite project representatives to respond to community questions.

No formal board position was taken at the meeting; the item was left for potential future agenda consideration.