Hermosa Federal Review Process
The U.S. Forest Service’s Final Record of Decision (ROD) for Hermosa is the culmination of years of environmental review, technical analysis, public engagement, Tribal consultation and interagency coordination. The final decision reflects a rigorous federal process that worked as intended – one that incorporated extensive public input and shaped meaningful project refinements.
Key numbers
2
years in review
12
tribes consulted
6
Federal and state agencies involved
135
mitigation and monitoring measures
More than a decade of environmental baseline studies, technical analysis, Tribal consultation and community engagement took place prior to the formal NEPA review beginning in 2024.
The Review Process
• More than 120 days of public comment periods across NEPA scoping period, Draft EIS review and objection resolution period following Final EIS publicatio
• 150+ community meetings, public briefings and stakeholder engagement sessions, including monthly meetings with Santa Cruz County officials, and regular public updates to local governments.
• Community Advisory Panel established in 2021 to provide input on project design.
• Community Protection & Benefit Agreement under development with Santa Cruz County, Nogales, and Patagonia.
• Regular and on-going consultation with 12 Tribes with historic affiliation near the site, including biannual site tours and government-to-government engagement. Engagement begun years before permitting process.
• Cultural resource surveys completed across 30,000+ acres, including private lands, with findings shared with Tribes. Data used to site infrastructure to avoid impacts.
Rigorous
• Hermosa designated as the first mining project covered under FAST-41.
• All permitting milestones publicly tracked through the Permitting Dashboard.
• Standardized timelines and interagency coordination provided through the FAST-41 Permitting Council within the NEPA process.
• Same rigorous federal review process. No reduction in environmental review, public comment opportunities, or Tribal consultation requirements.
through review
• Dry-stack tailings facility redesigned to avoid protected plant species.
• Primary Access Road, necessary for expansion, also designed to reduce traffic impacts to Patagonia and outdoor recreation areas.
• Additional water discharge points in the mountains to recharge the aquifer.
• Monitoring surface and ground water resources and implementing management programs for invasive species in the area.
• Developed site-wide lighting policy to minimize light pollution, protect night skies, and reduce impacts on wildlife and nearby communities.
Final ROD
• 135 conservation, mitigation, and monitoring measures incorporated into Final ROD.
• Commitments made federally enforceable through Final ROD and Final MPO.
• Long-term adaptive management framework and no-net-loss of biodiversity commitment applied throughout the life of the project.
• Water use 90% less than comparable regional mines; regional seeps and springs monitored.
