Save the Scenic Santa Ritas records
Materials distributed to community members by Save the Scenic Santa Ritas informing the public of mining issues in Arizona.
Collection area: Arizona and Southwest
Collection dates: 1996-2018 bulk 2006-2010
The Save the Scenic Santa Ritas records are divided into four series based on material type. Series I contains correspondence, which is arranged chronologically. There are several additional folders of subject specific correspondence, which is arranged alphabetically, including comments sheets sent to the US Forest Service and well water questions. Series II includes organization materials including petitions, bills and resolutions, board meeting minutes, memorandums, miscellaneous materials, handouts, flyers, and some memorabilia. Items are arranged alphabetically by item type.
Series III consists of press coverage on mining issues, the Santa Ritas and surrounding areas, and SSSR activities. The series contains internet printouts, letters to the editor, and newspaper clippings. These materials are arranged by item type. There were also nine bound SSSR press binders. Materials in these binders was removed from binders but is arranged as originally arranged by SSSR members and tail ends the other materials.
Series IV includes articles and publications relating to mining and other SSSR related research. Items in this series are arranged alphabetically by title of article, publication, or presentation.
Save the Scenic Santa Ritas (SSSR) is a non-profit whose volunteers aim to "protect the scenic, aesthetic, recreational, environmental and wildlife values of the Santa Rita Mountains, Patagonia Mountains, Canelo Hills and San Rafael Valley" by educating citizens, outreach programs, and protection of these areas from mining. The group was founded in 1996 in Sonoita, Arizona and was originally called Swapwatch. Later in 1996 the group renamed itself Save the Scenic Santa Ritas.
The group began by focusing on stopping ASARCO/Forest Service land exchanges taking place in the Rosemont Valley of the Santa Ritas. ASARCO aimed to open an open pit copper mine in the area that would, according to SSSR and concerned citizens, devastate the area. The land exchange proposal was quashed in 1998. Yet, in 2005, August Resource--a small Canadian mining company--purchased the Rosemont Ranch with aims to establish a large open pit copper mine. SSSR and concerned citizens worried that Augusta Resource would dump waste on the Coronado National Forest lands, which are public lands set aside for preservation and future generations. The group continues to monitor these areas and has goals to assure no mining takes place in the area.
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