The residents of the San Juan Ridge are waiting for the release of the draft Environmental Impact Report about the proposed reopening of the San Juan Ridge Mine. Meanwhile the San Juan Ridge Taxpayers Association (SJRTA) is encouraging all land owners in the area that could be potentially effected by the mine to be part of a well monitoring program. SJRTA Steering Committee member Solomon Henson says that well water quality needs to be monitored in order to provide baseline data before the mine opens. In 1995 the same mine caused de-watering of over a dozen wells including Grizzly Hill School.
Click here to listen to Solomon Henson

Though the fissure in the mine was repaired and the wells were restored or re-drilled, the water in those wells have an increased level of heavy metals. The school has added a self contained water treatment system.
Click here to listen to Solomon Henson

Henson says the current well monitoring program only involves about 16% of the potential 600 wells that could be effected by the mine.
Click here to listen to Solomon Henson

Ridge residents interested in being part of the monitoring program can contact the San Juan Ridge Taxpayers Association or Cramer Engineering.

Henson says the Association is also in education mode in regards to informing all of Nevada County about the potential water impacts the mine could have on the community. Once the draft EIR is released,  Association focus will be on understanding the implications of the report and responding in a timely manner at public hearings with the County Planning Commission and if needed the Board of Supervisors. The draft EIR could be released anytime in the next six months.