Pechanga Tribe to Purchase Liberty Quarry Land

CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE ON TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE AT PECHANGA

Pechanga Tribal leaders have agreed to purchase the Liberty Quarry site south of Temecula from Granite Construction, it was announced Thursday.

A news conference has been called for 2:30 p.m. at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, effectively ending the project, according to a joint news release from the two entities.

Granite Construction has agreed to sell 354 acres of land designated for the quarry to the Pechanga Tribe for $3 million.

"The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and Granite Construction Co. have forged a historic accord that will amicably resolve a long-standing land use dispute involving the proposed Liberty Quarry project in Riverside County and end the proposed quarry," the two entities wrote.

Pechanga will also pay Granite $17.35 million to settle the dispute under a separate inter-dependent and comprehensive settlement and release agreement, according to the news release.

Granite has in turn agreed that it will not own or operate a quarry within a six mile radius to the north of the property along the Riverside-San Diego county border and three miles to the south through 2035.

For its part, Pechanga has committed to providing Granite input regarding potential impacts to tribal historic and cultural resources at other potential aggregate sites outside of the restricted area that Granite may consider over the same 23-year period, according to the news release.

“This area holds profound historic, cultural, and spiritual importance to the Pechanga and Luiseño Peoples,” said Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. “Today, a small yet essential piece of our historic territory is once again united with its original stewards to preserve for future generations.”

Granite also reflected on the historic deal.

“Granite has a strong history of cooperation with stakeholders in communities where we work and is pleased to have been able to reach an equitable solution with the Pechanga Tribe regarding this project,” said James H. Roberts, Granite’s president and CEO. “We remain committed to Western Riverside and San Diego counties and look forward to continuing to grow our business in this area.”

This story is developing. Check back with Patch for coverage of the news conference.