Liberty Quarry plan vanishes amid $20 million settlement with tribe

A searing land use war that gripped the region for seven years ended abruptly Thursday, Nov. 15 with news that the Pechanga Indian tribe has spent $20.35 million to buy the site of a contentious gravel mine and prevent similar projects from taking shape in the Temecula area.

The stunning revelation initially came as a joint press release and in about two hours swelled into a hastily-arranged gathering of about 150 tribal leaders, local government officials, environmental activists and community and business leaders.

“This is a good day. It’s a very good day,” Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro said...