In a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding environmental and water management issues in the region. The discussions centered around a permit application from South 32 to construct a tailings pile, which would cover an area of 505 acres and reach a height of 243 feet, containing approximately 10 million tons of waste material. The implications of this project were highlighted, particularly the potential risks associated with liquefaction and erosion, which could lead to environmental hazards over time.

One speaker emphasized that the risk assessments currently available do not account for all potential dangers, such as power outages that could affect water management systems. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that it could take around 1,000 years for the tailings pile to erode, raising concerns about long-term environmental impacts, including the potential for contamination of local water bodies.

Additionally, Robin Lucky, president of the Calabasas Alliance, addressed the alarming decline in groundwater levels in the Santa Cruz Aquifer Management Area. She reported a decrease from 590,000 acre-feet to 260,000 acre-feet over the past 33 years, attributing this loss to ongoing drought conditions and increasing water demand. Lucky warned that if current extraction rates continue, the aquifer could be depleted by 2050, posing a serious threat to local drinking water supplies.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for comprehensive water management strategies and environmental safeguards, particularly in light of the region's ongoing drought and the legacy of mining activities that have left behind hazardous materials. Stakeholders are calling for more rigorous oversight and remediation efforts to protect both water quality and public health.