The final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed mining project at Juristac is now not due to be released until late 2025, according to Santa Clara County staff. This extended timeline has not curtailed the steady efforts of tribal members and allied friends and organizations to continue with outreach, education, and organizing to advocate for the protection of Juristac.
On Saturday, November 9, join us at UC Santa Cruz for a special event featuring stories and updates about the Protect Juristac campaign featuring presentations from Chairman Lopez along with tribal members Athena Hernandez, Julisa Lopez, and Alexii Sigona! A screening of a short film about the Rally for Juristac will also be featured. Big thanks to the American Indian Resource Center for hosting this event and also helping us put up a nice big Protect Juristac sign at the base of UCSC campus!
Over the spring and summer, volunteers staffed educational Juristac tables at public events throughout the region at events such as the San Juan Bautista Earth Day, the Second Annual Native American Gathering in Hollister, Aromas Day, the Indian Canyon Storytelling Gathering and the Santa Clara County Multicultural Festival. In July and August, tribal members learned about Juristac and other Amah Mutsun sacred places during an annual youth Summer Camp as well as a five-week field archaeology and tribal stewardship internship program hosted by the Amah Mutsun Land Trust.
In September, Chairman Lopez spoke in Aromas alongside wildlife biologists and agency staff at a forum on local wildlife connectivity organized by Green Foothills, highlighting the importance of the Juristac and Rocks Ranch areas to regional wildlife movement. A full video of the event is available for viewing.
Additional resolutions and letters of support continue to roll in, with new city resolutions expected this Fall. The Associated Students of San Jose State University passed a resolution in support of protecting Juristac in June, and SJSU faculty are currently engaged in organizing as well, with a targeted letter in the works.
Latest news articles
- Gilroy Dispatch 4/24/24: More than 10K comment on Sargent Ranch Quarry study
- BenitoLink 4/23/24: Sargent Quarry project lacks public support
- San Jose Inside 4/22/24: Santa Clara County Hears Overwhelming Support for Sargent Ranch Open Space
- Green Foothills 4/19/24: More than 10,000 Comments Express Concerns about Proposed Mine at Juristac
- Santa Cruz Sentinel 4/10/24 Op-Ed by Chairman Lopez & Tiffany Yap: Condors were rescued from extinction but hard work has just begun
- Prism 2/8/24: San Francisco Bay Area’s Amah Mutsun Tribal Band continues fight to preserve sacred land
See also
- How Did the Bobcat Cross the Road? A Forum on Wildlife Connectivity in San Benito County and Beyond (YouTube, 1 hr, 43 minutes)
- Saving A Valley: How Coyote Valley Inspires Conservation: a free 30-minute podcast featuring Chairman Lopez and others who have been part of protecting Coyote Valley, an important cultural landscape located to the north of Juristac.