GENERAL34522

• Permit No: M1988112
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Name: WATER COURT UPDATE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC SURVEY SHOWS COSTILLA COUNTY UNITED
AGAINST BMG
The CES announces the results of a survey of local
residents conducted by Dr. Devon Pena, Director of
the Rio Grande Bioregions Project of the Hulbert
Center for Southwestern Research at The Colorado
College in Colorado Springs. The survey was
designed to measure the attitudes of local residents
toward environmental issues and economic
developmern.
Two hundred and nine interviews were randomly
conducted with residerns of San Luis, San Pablo,
San Francisco, Chama, Cuba, Ft. Garland, Mesita,
and San Acacio between July 26 and August 2,
1990. The survey resuRs are objective and accurate
to within +2 or -2 percentage points. The sample
represents about 16 percent of the total voting age
population in Costilla County.
It is often said that Hispanic communities like San
Luis are bitterly divided when it comes to dealing
with controversial issues of import to public policy.
It is also said that Chicanos and the rural poor in
general are unconcerned about environmental
issues; that they care more about jobs than
environmental protection.
The survey just completed by Professor Pena
should put an end to these common misconceptions
and stereotypes. The research by the expert
sociologist demonstrates that the residents of
Costilla County are solidly united a ainst the Battle
Mountain Gold strip mine and cyanide-leaching
operations. The resuRs indicate a high level of
concern for environmental protection, quality of life,
and sound economic development.
Specifically, over 77 percent of those sampled
expressed opposition to the establishment of BMG's
strip mine and cyanide leaching operation. Less
than 18 percent of those surveyed support the mine;
and about 5 percent are undecided. The main
reason for opposition is the prospect of
environmental hazards. Threats to public health and
safety, damage to water quality, destruction of local
agriculture, and incompatibility of the mine with local
economic development plans were also among the
leading reasons cited for opposition to the mine.
Less than 18 percern of the sample expressed
support for the establishment of the mine, and many
of these are individuals indicating direct economic
benefits resulting from the BMG project (many of
these are people employed by BMG or expecting a
job at the mine in the near future). However, few
people indicated that they expected much in the
manner of direct economic benefits from the mining
operation.
According to Professor Pena, The survey results
directly contradict claims by BMG, Governor Romer,
and other elected officials that the community is, at
best, bitterly divided over the issue. This objective,
scientrfic survey should put an end to the
misrepresentation of community sentiments by
supporters and promoters of the mine. The people
of San Luis and Costilla County have made their
opinions known. They are unequiva:ally opposed to
the mine because they perceive it as an
environmental, heaRh, and economic hazard. The
community is united in its opposition to the mine and
favors environmentally-sound and culturally-
appropriate alternatives for economic development.'
Pena further stated: 'In my opinion, the issue here
is of global significance. The struggles of the people
of San Luis are not just about environmental
protection; these are struggles for a sustainable
luture and the survival of a unique rural cuRure that
is as endangered as the spotted owl.' Professor
Pena indicated that further research will be
conducted on the ecological, social, cultural, and
economic impacts of the mine as well as other types
of economic developmern in the arHa. Pena has a
Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas-
Austin (1983).
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