MT DEQ: No Significant Impact from Gold Mining Near Yellowstone
Eric Tegethoff, Producer
Friday, October 14, 2016
EMIGRANT, Mont. – A gold-mining plan near Yellowstone National Park would not have a significant impact on the environment, according to a draft assessment from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. But many others disagree. The Canadian mining company Lucky Minerals has proposed searching for gold in Emigrant Creek, a few miles north of the only year-round access to Yellowstone Park.
U.S. Senator Jon Tester said while mining has played an important role in the state's economy and history, the environmental and economic risks from a mine near Yellowstone are too great.
"The local economy in the Paradise Valley and the Gardiner Basin is diverse and thriving due to the quality of life, opportunities for world-class fishing and other outdoor recreation, and the millions of visitors that Yellowstone draws through these communities every year," he said. "The prospect of large-scale mining operations threatens the unique nature of this area and the livelihoods of the people who live there."
Tester has sent a letter to President Obama's Cabinet officials asking for an administrative withdrawal of mining and mineral permits on public lands near the proposed mining area. He said he's considering introducing legislation to prohibit the federal government from granting mining permits on two areas of federal land north of Yellowstone National Park.
Karrie Kahle, spokesperson for the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition, works at Chico Hot Springs near the proposed mining site. She said the coalition agrees with Senator Tester, and noted that there is a bipartisan effort among more than 250 local businesses to oppose this mine.
"This really, truly is a community issue," she said. "This is not a political one, and we have members of the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition from both sides of the political aisle. And, just as a community, we are coming together to protect our way of life and our livelihood."
Kahle said between 2013 and 2014, Yellowstone visitors spent $196 million in her county and she fears mining in the area could disrupt that. The Montana DEQ is taking public comments through December 12th.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…
Social Issues
Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …
Social Issues
Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …
Environment
New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…