Already aware of this issue? Take action by sending a letter to the Forest Service and Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Click the link below to download an example letter:
Example-USFS-DEQ-Comment-Letter
Background: A Canadian mining company, Lucky Minerals Inc., has proposed a mineral exploration project in Emigrant Gulch in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, located approximately 7 miles southeast of Emigrant, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park and the historic Chico Hot Springs.
At the beginning of June Lucky Minerals Inc. submitted the proposal to assess the potential to develop a gold mine, with the potential for copper, silver or molybdenum development too. The first phase of the exploratory drilling is planned for summer 2015 and would involve twelve drill sites that are located on public, federal land and 23 drill sites on private land on the western flank of Emigrant Peak. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality will be review and permitting the exploratory drilling on the private parcels. Ultimately, the company hopes to develop a multi-metal mine across multiple drainages and may employ a range of industry standard methods for ore extraction which could cover 2,560 acres in the Emigrant Gulch area.
Lucky Minerals proposes to undertake its first year of exploration under a “categorical exclusion” from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which would insulate the project’s harmful effects from scrutiny. It is important that a thorough environmental analysis of all exploration activities be conducted, including an adequate public comment period prior to the agencies’ approval of any action that allows this proposed mine exploration to move forward.
The Custer Gallatin National Forest is currently reviewing this proposed mineral exploration project in Emigrant Gulch. PCEC and its members have urged the Forest Service through the public comment process to engage in a full environmental review of the proposed exploration project.
The areas of major concern we addressed in our public comments as they related to this exploration were:
- ENDANGER SPECIES IMPACTS
- INVENTORIED ROADLESS AREA INCURSIONS
- WATER QUALITY THREATS
- CONTAMINATION FROM SPILLS AND DISCHARGES
- WILDLIFE INTERFEARANCE
- HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
- SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONCERNS
- RECREATION AND PUBLIC ACCESS ISSUES
- WILDFIRE DANGER
The application and comments are being reviewed by Peter Werner, Project Lead, Custer Gallatin National Forest Supervisors Office, 10 E Babcock, Bozeman, MT 59715 email at: FS-comments-northern-gallatin@fs.fed.us
Joint State review is being lead by Craig Jones at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901 email at: deqmepa@mt.gov
Documents for download from the US Forest Service:
USFS Scoping Letter 20150602 USFS Emigrant Project Map
or visit their website HERE
Lucky Minerals Technical Report: Emigrant Mining District Project 43-101 Report
Maps from the Lucky Minerals report:
Figure 3 Emigrant Project Claim Map from Emigrant Mining District Project 43-101 report
Figure 4 Emigrant Project Target Location Map from Emigrant Mining District Project 43-101 report-2
For more information or questions please contact Park County Environmental Council at (406) 223-4714 or email Michelle Uberuaga, michelle@envirocouncil.org or Joe Josephson with Greater Yellowstone Coalition at 406.586.1593 or e-mail jjosephson@greateryellowstone.org