Upcoming Trainings About Public Input on SF Salmon (ID) Gold Mine Project

A large-scale gold-antimony mine in the headwaters of the South Fork Salmon (ID), a major tributary to the Wild and Scenic Salmon River has been proposed by Perpetua Resources. The company is moving forward with plans to construct the Stibnite Gold Project despite concerns from the EPA that it would significantly harm the protected water quality of these Native American tribal fishing grounds and the classic whitewater paddling in the drainage. The Forest Service recently released a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the project, which describes the effects of the mine. Although Perpetua refers to the project as a restoration plan, the SDEIS shows that mining activities will actually degrade fish habitat and the vastly improved water quality in this wild and beautiful watershed enjoyed by paddlers from across the country and world. 

Our local partners in Idaho, the Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Rivers United, and Save the South Fork Salmon are encouraging members of the public and businesses to closely review the SDEIS and voice their concerns during the comment period and at upcoming public meetings held by the Forest Service. 

Here’s what you can do:
1) Attend a comment writing workshop hosted by our local partners Idaho Rivers United, Idaho Conservation League, and Save The South Fork Salmon, where you will learn more about the permitting process, the effects of the Stibnite Gold Project and how to make your comments more effective. 

December 5, 2022: Idaho First Bank in McCall, 475 Deinhard Ln, McCall, ID 83638; 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm 
December 8, 2022: Cascade River Gear, 604 E 45th St, Garden City, ID 83714;  6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
 
2) Attend a River Rat webinar also hosted by Idaho Rivers United, Idaho Conservation League, and Save The South Fork Salmon. Each night we will focus on a different topic related to the project, with guest speakers including Ben Stookesberry and an open question forum. Each event is scheduled to start at 7pm MST. Individual zoom links and dates are below.
 
November 17th - Recreation Impacts https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81794900994
December 1st - General concerns and public comment / NEPA breakdown
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81118177674
December 14th - Tribal perspective and concerns
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82494461634
 
3) Attend a Forest Service open house. The Forest Service is hosting a series of open houses for the public to learn more about the project. Come for a few minutes or the full two hours. You will be able to ask questions to resource specialists and submit written comments. Asking about why we can't restore the headwaters of a wild river without mining it again, if there's an opporutnity to use funds from the recently passed Infrastructure bill for restoration instead of mining this prisitne area, and asking for an extension of the public comment period due to it currently straddling the winter holiday season is encouraged. 

December 6, 2022:  McCall, Idaho, Best Western Plus Lodge, 211 South 3rd Street; 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
December 7, 2022:  Cascade, Idaho, American Legion Hall, 105 W. Mill Street; 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
December 9, 2022:  Boise, Idaho, Holiday Inn Express Airport, 3050 South Shoshone Street; 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Public comments on the SDEIS will be accepted through January 10, 2023, and look for us to provide an easy-action opportunity to weigh-in in the coming weeks. 

SF Salmon Image by Hannah Harris.