A billion-dollar blast mine planned along the San Joaquin River’s prime salmon spawning habitat is facing its first major political challenge after months of diplomatic silence from Fresno leaders.  Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula introduced new state legislation last week aimed directly at stopping global mining giant CEMEX from blasting a crater twice as deep as Millerton Lake along the San Joaquin River’s planned parkway near Fresno. Arambula’s proposal has the support of Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, who called the CEMEX blast mine an “unacceptable” assault to the region’s river and roads. … Arambula’s bill would toss the county’s playbook for developers in the trash, killing CEMEX’s controversial mining proposal before the county supervisors get a chance to approve it.

Related article:

• The San Joaquin Valley Sun: Arambula proposes bill to block CEMEX’s controversial quarry expansion in Fresno County
• The Fresno Bee: Opinion: Will blast mine on San Joaquin River proceed? Fresno lawmaker throws up stop sign