Water Rights Victory Foils Industrial Gold Mine

Date: 
12/29/2009

On December 16, 2009 Special Master Booth of the Snake River Basin Adjudication ruled that the Atlanta Gold mining company could not rely on technological difficulties or historic gold prices to excuse its forfeiture of three water rights in the headwaters of the Boise River. The mining company hoped to reclaim the water rights in order to recommence open pit and underground mining using diesel fuel, propane, and other hazardous chemicals. In view of Special Master Booth’s ruling, Atlanta Gold has withdrawn its claim to the water rights.