Private Funding Could Cut Red Tape for Homestake

Recent articles in Physics Today, (February 2004, page 32 ; August 2003, page 24 ) describe the continuing efforts of neutrino physicists to gain access to the Homestake property in South Dakota. The article reflects the myopic vision of the physics community, still standing in line for federal and state handouts. Politics aside, there are alternative approaches to accessing the mine. If the facility has a real (underline the word “real”) scientific value, a senior-level advisory panel could pursue private, corporate, or philanthropic monies to purchase the mine from Barrick Corp, arrange an indemnification bond (probably with state monies), and get the laboratory operational. There would be no need for a lengthy NSF facilities evaluation or for congressional intervention to bypass peer review. And with a little imagination, the new owner might even lease out some of the voluminous excess space for records storage or military studies.