During November, the Hermosa CPBA Signatories continued advancing the Community Protection & Benefit Agreement with a focus on refining how protections, benefits, and long-term implementation will work in practice.
What We Worked On
1. How community benefit funds will be managed
Review of different models used in other communities to manage and distribute long-term benefit funding. Discussions focused on creating a structure that:
- Follows the direction of the CPBA Signatories and future Executive Council
- Ensures funds are distributed as intended
- Maintains transparency and accountability for the community
2. Phase One “Early Actions”
Review of proposed Phase One Early Actions: short-term steps designed to address critical community needs as quickly as possible. These are informed by:
- Community listening sessions and focus groups
- The University of Arizona’s Asset Inventory, Gap Analysis, and Innovative Pathways Report (or the “Capacity Assessment”)
3. Environmental protections planning
Independent consultant Spheros Environmental is finalizing its Phase One Protections Roadmap, to be released by mid-January. This document will help guide decisions related to environmental protections, oversight, and long-term implementation.
4. Legal review and alignment
Attorneys for all four Signatories continue reviewing the draft CPBA. A working session with Signatories and their attorneys occurred on November 25 in Nogales to review key legal considerations and confirm our next steps.
Work Happening Between Meetings/Working Sessions
In addition to formal meetings, the Signatories and supporting teams are continuing work by:
- Reviewing the draft CPBA with legal counsel
- Refining and evaluating Phase One initiatives
- Reviewing and sharing public comments submitted through the CPBA website
November Website Submissions:
- Five Survey Submissions
- Five Comments/Messages
These inputs are considered and discussed by the Signatories as part of community engagement efforts to understand community concerns and interests.