Mining in Wilderness Area

* Re “Environmentalists Assail Plan to Mine in Forest Area,” Oct. 8.

I was alarmed and dismayed to read about exploratory mining in the Sespe Wilderness Area of the Los Padres National Forest.

Most shocking were the details of the possible transfer of our public lands into private hands under the terms of a 1872 mining law. It’s inconceivable to me that we can still allow mining companies to purchase our wilderness for $2.50 an acre.

In the late 1970s, we faced a similar threat when the Homestake Mining Co. proposed exploratory drilling for uranium in the watershed of Lake Casitas. A number of us formed a group called Stop Uranium Now (SUN) to bring this matter to the public’s attention. Although SUN deserves some of the credit for stopping that travesty, the real hero was then-Congressman Bob Lagomarsino, who quickly moved through legislation to prevent that and any future mining activity around Lake Casitas.

It’s time now, with the election still weeks away, for Reps. Elton Gallegly and Brad Sherman to take a stand on the 1872 Mining Act. The voters of Ventura County have the right to know if their congressmen are going to support an archaic law that virtually gives away our treasured national forest to private interests for commercial gain.

As a postscript, after the successful defeat of Homestake’s plan, SUN turned its attention to Rocketdyne’s radioactive pollution. No one was interested. Too bad we were 20 years ahead of our time. Let’s hope the public is more aware now of the need to protect and preserve our environment.

LANNY KAUFER

Ojai