In late August, Amador County Superior Court Judge Susan Harlan ruled in favor of Amador County in a lawsuit that challenged the county's approval of the Lincoln Mine. The plaintiffs, Concerned Citizens of Amador County, claimed that the mine approval violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the county general plan. In her ruling, Harlan agreed with the county that the mine's milling facility and visitor center could be located on land designated for residential-suburban use without a general plan change. While acknowledging that the county did not properly follow the environmental review process required by CEQA, Harlan concluded that no harm resulted and that the county's efforts to comply were sufficient.

The Concerned Citizens, whose members have not come forward out of fear of personal and business retaliation, have 60 days from the date of the decision to file an appeal with the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento.

Meanwhile, the group is contesting a claim by Sutter Gold Mining Company for more than $14,000 in court costs. The company is asking for reimbursement for its own manager's time in reviewing documents, at a cost of $100 an hour, and for more than $4,000 in costs for preparing enlarged copies of documents contained in the record. The Concerned Citizens claim that the company is at most entitled to just under $500 in court costs.

We're not alone . . .

Groups and agencies that have pointed out legal inadequacies in specific Amador County planning documents

California Department of Fish and Game

California Department of Conservation

California Department of Mining and Geology

California Native Plant Society

Maidu Group of the Sierra Club

Mineral Policy Center

Sierra Land Use Group

Foothill Conservancy