Judge orders New Era Mine closed

In what amounts to a complete repudiation of the Butte County Board of Supervisors, Superior Court Judge Stephen E. Benson has upheld virtually all aspects of a lawsuit against the county challenging the continued gold-extracting operations at the New Era Mine, east of Butte College.

The suit, filed by the Dry Creek Coalition, a group of neighbors of the mine, and joined by the Butte Environmental Council, charged that a three-man majority of the board had violated state environmental and mining laws by voting to allow the much-expanded mine to continue operating without obtaining a new use permit and undergoing environmental review.

Supervisor Jane Dolan, who along with Supervisor Maureen Kirk dissented, said at the time she hoped someone would sue the county over it.

Benson ordered the mine to be shut down immediately and not to be reopened until environmental review has been done and a new use permit issued. He also awarded the plaintiffs attorney’s fees.