If you like Fishing in Idaho, as I do..... Here's an article you should be in the know for:
Environmental
group sues Idaho over plans to dredge river for gold
on October 16, 2012 at 2:03 PM, updated October 16, 2012 at 2:05 PM
The Idaho
Conservation League announced it had asked a 4th District Court
judge to require the state to approve a reclamation plan before signing off on
any mining projects.
In September, Grangeville miner Mike Conklin was
awarded a five-year lease by the Idaho Land Board,
giving him sole access to a half-mile stretch of river about 13 miles
downstream of Riggins where he can mine the gravel for precious metal.
The Boise-based environmental group contends Gov. C.L.
"Butch" Otter and the other board members ignored laws meant to
protect Idaho's water, arguing that miners who use gasoline-powered suction
dredges often leave big holes in the riverbed that damage valuable habitat for
salmon and steelhead.
"Before anyone goes onto our lands which need to
be protected for the benefit of water quality, fisheries and wildlife, and
public health and safety, miners need to submit a restoration plan before
they're allowed access onto these properties," said Jonathan Oppenheimer
of the environmental group. "If there's anywhere there ought to be a high
level of scrutiny, it's in the bed of the Salmon River, which is one of the
gems of Idaho."
Staff members at the Idaho Department of Lands who
oversee mineral leases with proceeds and royalties that benefit public schools,
contend the league is misinterpreting state rules and laws governing suction
dredge mining and reclamation requirements.
Eric Wilson, minerals program manager, told the Land
Board in August that regulation of recreational dredgers such as Conklin falls
to the Idaho Department of Water Resources,
and the Department of Lands only has jurisdiction over awarding a lease.
On Tuesday, Wilson declined to comment on pending
litigation
Some anglers have also opposed Conklin's permit,
saying it will hurt popular steelhead fishing areas and create hazardous holes
where people could fall in and drown.
In addition to Otter, the Land Board members named as
defendants are Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, public schools chief Tom Luna,
attorney general Lawrence Wasden, and controller Brandon Woolf.
The Idaho Conservation League says a judge should
reverse the Land Board's order granting Conklin a lease. It also wants a review
of whether the state erred in deciding that laws such as the Dredge and Placer
Mining Protection Act and the Surface Mining Act don't apply to the project.
-- The Associated Press
Salmon River:
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