In early 2021, South32 created the Advisory Panel on the South32 Hermosa Project. I want to acknowledge what I believe are two important results of the Advisory Panel:
• The Panel allowed us to get to know each other as individuals active in Santa Cruz County in various networks.
• The Panel members came to understand that South32’s proposed activities come at a significant environmental cost if those mining related issues are not mitigated.
South32 is now going to reconstitute the Panel to better serve its corporate mission.
One of South32’s new criteria for a Panel Member is “CAP members must refrain from being part of actions or situations involving real or perceived conflicts of interest, such as participating directly or through organizations, in litigation or legal actions intended to deny, withdraw, delay, or affect the permits needed for the project.”
Risner writes that the panel “transformation” which includes a new facilitator, will “address any issues that impede fostering trust.” Yet the sudden removal of members who have worked in good faith to raise issues of community concern ERODES trust.
Risner goes on to say that “these guidelines will strengthen the Panel’s foundation and enhance its overall effectiveness in achieving our collective goals.” Our translation: “With a panel stacked with those who agree with us, we’ll continue to advance our profitable agenda under the guise of caring about the community.”
This foreign mining company intends to proceed with a 21st century industrialized mining activity that will have significant environmental and public health ramifications. The company is seemingly unwilling to listen to the concerns of county residents about the environmental and public health issues and what measures the people of this impacted region want imposed on South32 to mitigate potential damages. The permit delays that annoy South32 exist only because the state and federal agencies are not following existing regulations.
This region is a global biodiversity hotspot recognized by scientists as one of the top regions in the world most in need of research and protection for species survival. It is a responsibility for those of us who live in this county to protect our natural resources and public health.