U.S. Accused of Censoring Mine Hearing

Outraged Santa Clarita city officials accused the U.S. Forest Service of censorship Tuesday night at an unusual public meeting on plans to open an iron ore mine in the Angeles National Forest.

The meeting was held to collect testimony for an environmental impact report being prepared on the proposed open-pit mine in the Santa Clarita Valley’s Sand Canyon.

Residents of the area have pledged to fight the proposed Black Diamond mine, which would be near several expensive homes.

Forest Service officials refused to let speakers address the 30-member audience and instead told them to deliver their remarks one-on-one to stenographers.

The unusual format left audience members frustrated and angry.

“This is like no public hearing I’ve ever attended,” said Councilwoman Jan Heidt. “This is like taking a deposition in a private lawyer’s office.”

Heidt said she would ask the City Council to protest the meeting when it convenes Thursday. Councilman Carl Boyer III said he would support Heidt’s resolution. “It totally wipes out any chance for a public exchange of ideas,” he said of the meeting’s format.

“This is going to make the people angry,” Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy said. She and Michael P. Murphy, a representative for Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley), said they had not seen a federal hearing conducted in such a manner.

“I do think it’s a form of censorship,” said Rita Garasi, a Sand Canyon resident and member of the Santa Clarita Planning Commission.

Some audience members stormed out of the auditorium of Sulphur Springs School in protest while others demanded that Richard Borden, a special projects coordinator for the Forest Service, open the meeting. He refused.

Borden defended the meeting format and said other federal agencies use it to collect testimony. By having two stenographers on hand, two people at a time were able to put their remarks into the record, he said. The format prevents meetings from dragging on too long, he said.

Only a few people spoke to the stenographers and the meeting broke up in 45 minutes.

Borden said it was unnecessary for the speakers to address the audience because the remarks are intended for Forest Service officials who will prepare the environmental impact report. He reminded the audience that the public has until June 27 to submit written remarks for the report.