Paddlers and environmentalists got some unwelcome news early in the New Year, when the US Forest Service released its final approval decision on the Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho’s South Fork Salmon drainage. In the works from nearly a decade and now approved, the project calls for three open pit mines and antimony mines as well as the diversion of the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon, which flows into the South Fork.
Proposed by Canadian company Perpetua, the mine would be a travesty for the waterway, designated as critical habitat for endangered Chinook as well as steelhead and bull trout, which is why American Rivers once listed the South Fork on its Top 10 Most Endangered Rivers list. Paddlers are also up in arms about the project. The South Fork— once home to 25 percent of the Columbia watershed’s Chinook salmon run — is a super-charged tributary to the Wild and Scenic Main Salmon, the second longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states. It begins high up in the Salmon River Mountains at 8,000 feet, before plunging 86 miles north to the Salmon at Mackay Bar. Day trips are possible on its upper East Fork and South Fork reaches, but its lower 40 miles, before dumping into the Main for an 18-mile paddle out, are what make up one of the best multi-day, self-support kayak trips in the Lower 48.
“The South Salmon is legitimately at risk,” maintains local kayaker Nate Ostis, founder of the Wilderness Rescue International and supporter of the Save the South Fork Salmon. “Domestic resource extraction is something all our locals support. But we are certainly divided on this proposal by the gold company, Perpetua, as this plan has many red flags that ultimately point to a predictable pattern of destruction and lack of accountability. The amount of money allocated towards misleading propaganda creates a scenario where many people easily forget the past as a lofty vision of “restoration” is being pushed and devoured. In 20 years the water crisis in the US will no longer be deniable and projects like Perpetua will readily be seen as reckless money grabs to line the pockets of foreigners. Unfortunately, the Mining Law of 1872 limits the contest and makes pure logic a difficult thing to apply. I think many champagne bottles are popping currently in our area with this recent announcement…and there are many realists standing by shaking their heads. Sad. Disappointed. Bewildered. But we’re not done yet. Be positive. Stay pissed. Keep fighting.”
“Fresh water and a sustainable salmon run are considerably more valuable than gold,” he adds. “Clean water and salmon are disappearing. Activating three 700-foot pit mines in the middle of the riverbed will poison everything in the river and all along the way to the ocean.”
The Final Record of Decision and supporting documents can be found on the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/payette/?project=50516. According to the filing, the Stibnite Gold Project is located within the Payette National Forest, Krassel Ranger District, and the Boise National Forest, Cascade Ranger District in central Idaho. Activities described in the 2021 Modified Mine Plan would occur within approximately 820 acres of private lands (including approximately 535 acres of patented mining claims owned or controlled by Perpetua), approximately 2,372 acres of National Forest System lands, 13 acres of federal land administered by the Bureau of Reclamation, and 62 acres of lands administered by the State of Idaho. The final decision document reads: “Consider approval of Perpetua’s 2021 Modified Mine Plan for development of the Stibnite Gold Project to mine and mill gold, silver, and antimony deposits on the Payette NF and Boise NF, consistent with the requirements of regulations governing surface use and occupancy in 36 CFR 228A and other statutory and regulatory authorities.”
The Decisions from the National Forest Supervisors (from the Final Record of Decision):
2.2.1Boise National Forest Supervisor Decision
Based on my review of the environmental analysis disclosed in the Stibnite Gold Project FEIS, specialist reports, other supporting analyses, associated land management plans, the Stibnite Gold Project record, and in consideration of public comments received on the DEIS and Supplemental DEIS, I, Brant Petersen have decided to approve the four project-specific plan amendments to the amended 2010 Boise National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
2.2.2Payette National Forest Supervisor Decision
Based on my review of the environmental analysis disclosed in the Stibnite Gold Project FEIS, specialist reports, other supporting analyses, associated land management plans, the Stibnite Gold Project record, and in consideration of public comments received on the DEIS and Supplemental DEIS, I, Matthew Davis, have decided to select the 2021 Modified Mine Plan as presented in Section 2.7 of the FEIS subject to the requirements of Part 2.3 and Part 9 herein. My decision also includes approval of a special use authorization for Idaho Power Company to upgrade portions of the existing power transmission line, install a new power transmission line from the Johnson Creek substation to the mine area and install upgraded and new substations and support infrastructure for the power transmission line. Additionally, my decision approves five project-specific plan amendments to the 2003 Payette National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
Mitigation measures as detailed in Part 2.3 below are requirements of this decision. I expect the applicable mitigation measures as well as permit requirements determined by other regulatory agencies to be implemented immediately and as applicable for the extent of the Stibnite Gold Project activities. I expect that the performance expectations as outlined in Part 2.3 will be met.
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