Mining

Advocates for the West represents Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Rivers United, and Golden Eagle Audubon Society in a challenge to the Forest Service approval of Canadian mining company Mosquito Gold’s plan to explore for copper and molybdenum in the headwaters of Grimes Creek on nearly 3000 acres of Boise National Forest land.

Files: 

Administrative Appeal (April 2011)

Complaint (July 2011)

Plaintiffs' Opening Brief (December 2011)

This case challenges the U.S.

Files: 

Idaho Rivers United Complaint 3/10/11

Press Release Idaho Rivers United 3/10/11

Atlanta, Idaho is a small town that once saw extensive mining operations; but all commercial mining stopped by 1963 when the ore played out.  Recently, a mining company has proposed to develop a large, cyanide heap-leach mine at the Atlanta site, which is located on the Middle Fork of the Boise River -- the headwaters for Idaho's largest metropolitan area.

On behalf of Idaho Conservation League, we sent EPA a notice-of-intent letter in July 2008, alleging that it was violating Section 303(c) of the Federal Clean Water Act in not requiring the State of Idaho to adopt sufficiently protective water quality standards for arsenic and other toxic pollutants.

We thereafter negotiated a settlement agremeent with EPA and the Department of Justice, which establishes a schedule and process for EPA to address the outstanding arsenic and other toxic standards in Idaho.

Files: 

Arsenic WQS settlement