Forest Service Relents, Sets 2nd Mine Hearing

The U.S. Forest Service, bowing to public pressure, has agreed to hold another public meeting on a controversial proposal to open a mine near Santa Clarita in Angeles National Forest.

Richard Borden, a special projects coordinator with the Forest Service, said Monday that the agency decided to hold the second meeting July 11 because of public dissatisfaction over the format of the first meeting.

“It will not be done the same as the last one,” Borden said of the meeting. “Our intent is to provide an opportunity for the folks to speak.”

People attending a public meeting May 24 on the draft environmental impact report for the mine were not allowed to address the hearing. Instead, they were required by the Forest Service to deliver their remarks individually to court stenographers, who entered the comments into the official record.

The format angered some people and dismayed others.

Accused of Censorship

Some members of the audience stormed out of the meeting room at Sulphur Springs School in protest while others urged Borden to let speakers address their remarks to the meeting. Borden refused, saying the format had been used before by some federal agencies. The meeting quickly ended with many audience members accusing the Forest Service of censorship.

Two days later, an angry Santa Clarita City Council voted unanimously to send letters of protest to the Forest Service and a variety of state and federal officials. Among those who pressured the Forest Service to hold a second meeting were Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) and Rep. Carlos J. Moorhead (R-Glendale).

The second public meeting on the Black Diamond mine is scheduled July 11 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Sulphur Springs School. Borden said those attending will be allowed to speak publicly. The deadline to submit written comments on the draft environmental impact report for the project has been extended to July 31.

The Forest Service will use the report to evaluate a proposal by United General Corp. to operate an open-pit mine just outside the Santa Clarita city limits in Angeles National Forest. The mine would produce iron silicate ore a few hundred yards from homes in Sand Canyon and is opposed by canyon residents and the Santa Clarita City Council.