Post by: fireweed on July 30, 2012, 10:22:24 AM
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today that it is extending the comment period for the Environmental Assessment (EA) related to two hardrock prospecting permit applications for geological exploration within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest northeast of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The public comment period for the EA will now run until August 15, 2012.
Additional information about the EA is available online at: www.blm.gov/or/programs/minerals/prospecting (http://www.blm.gov/or/programs/minerals/prospecting)
Written comments pertaining to the EA will be accepted at the site shown below using either the built-in comment form or as an email. Comments can also be posted to: BLM_OR_Prospecting_EA@blm.gov
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 30, 2012, 10:28:10 AM
Post by: fireweed on July 30, 2012, 10:30:44 AM
Post by: tbuck6568 on July 30, 2012, 10:39:18 AM
Post by: Booman2 on July 30, 2012, 06:27:08 PM
The EA says that there are no salmon or steelhead issues because there is a falls downstream. It doesn't mention that these threatened fish as well as resident brook and cutthroat trout need the clear, cold Green River water to live.
The EA dismisses elk and deer, saying that the area is not good habitat. They admit that elk will be displaced by drilling and noise but that "won't be a problem." Likewise, they will not allow any access to the Project Area, about 1.1 square miles north of the 2612 road, but that it won't be a problem for hunters either.
I could go on, but suggest checking out the 207 page EA on BLM's website and fire off some comments within the next 2 weeks.
Post by: gasman on July 30, 2012, 07:04:35 PM
Post by: washelkhunter on July 30, 2012, 07:12:48 PM
Post by: Huntbear on July 30, 2012, 07:17:04 PM
I do conservation work for Clark-Skamania Flyfishers and Vancouver Wildlife League and have been working on a rebuttal to the EA- Environmental Assessment- (done for BLM/USFS by a consulting firm hired by Ascot Mines) for the past week. I attended the pre-application meetings, hiked the Project Site and have done about 6 months research about mining. This project will drill about 50 holes as far as 5000 feet deep, looking for gold, copper and other metals which they hope will be in quantities to open pit cyanide leach mine. The Project Area is at the Green River Horse camp and up Goat Mountain to about 4000 feet. This is public land, purchased for "recreational use" and given to USFS. Ascot is a Canadian company.
The EA says that there are no salmon or steelhead issues because there is a falls downstream. It doesn't mention that these threatened fish as well as resident brook and cutthroat trout need the clear, cold Green River water to live.
The EA dismisses elk and deer, saying that the area is not good habitat. They admit that elk will be displaced by drilling and noise but that "won't be a problem." Likewise, they will not allow any access to the Project Area, about 1.1 square miles north of the 2612 road, but that it won't be a problem for hunters either.
I could go on, but suggest checking out the 207 page EA on BLM's website and fire off some comments within the next 2 weeks.
1.1 miles of the 2612 ????? really?? I have some buddies that hunt up on top of where those test holes are going in.. that trail is a major hiking trail that goes up to Deadmans lake... :bash: :bash: :bash:
That whole area is full of elk.. it borders the Margaret unit... :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:
As for the Green River... why is there a hatchery on the river down stream if there is not an issue with salmon and steelhead and other native species..
Another end around?????? this sounds like a lot of money greasing some palms to shut up the EPA, and the FS is making a *censored* load of money selling OUR PROPERTY out to mining.... Sounds like the same guys running the FS are the ones running WDFW.. screw the taxpaying sportsmen...
Im all for resource extraction. Provides good family wage jobs and taxes for this State which is broke mostly due to the lack of resource utilization. Drill Baby Drill! :tup:
I will remind you of this, when YOUR HONEY HOLE favorite hunting area is the one being affected by sleaze ball government agencies.... and you lose access due to them shutting the public out of public ground....
Post by: grundy53 on July 30, 2012, 07:22:00 PM
Im all for resource extraction. Provides good family wage jobs and taxes for this State which is broke mostly due to the lack of resource utilization. Drill Baby Drill! :tup::yeah:
Post by: shoot-em-dead on July 30, 2012, 07:22:18 PM
It's about time someone does something to boost the economy. I am all for it. 100%
Post by: washelkhunter on July 30, 2012, 07:24:41 PM
Post by: gasman on July 30, 2012, 07:26:10 PM
So they want to drill holes in 1 sq. mile of dirt and thats a big deal? I hope they find the motherlode of all time!
For once, I agree with you................ :yeah:
Post by: Basket Rack on July 30, 2012, 09:17:12 PM
Post by: Booman2 on July 30, 2012, 09:29:42 PM
As I researched cyanide leach mines I learned that the amount the size of 1 grain of rice can be fatal to humans. I checked out a mine near Whitehall, Montana that could be similar and found a huge barb wire fenced off area with big roads, earth hauling trucks, etc. The "footprint" of a working facility is probably about 3x the size of a mine, and will be incompatible with any other use.
According to a scientist quoted on Nightline last week, the length of time a cyanide pit needs to be monitored is "forever."
This project is on public (USFS) land. It was acquired specifically for "recreational use" when a private company deeded it over.
To clarify the project, it's a 2 stage deal.If the drilling is successful, Ascot can then sell rights to another company to do the mine.
Post by: Huntbear on July 30, 2012, 09:35:46 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmeic.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F02%2FGolden-Sunlight-0121-1024x768.jpg&hash=9c6d86ced5c7694217f6a816226802450de0a29a)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_1E42fbJdzZ4%2FR2s0IQiCiXI%2FAAAAAAAAArw%2FVrJbpdvy4C0%2Fs400%2Fmnwast.jpg&hash=49f1b2d3a9e1cf41a559371400ac737ba358515e)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.lasvegassun.com%2Fmedia%2Fimg%2Fphotos%2F2009%2F01%2F26%2Fscaled.0127_met_mining1_t653.jpg%3F214bc4f9d9bd7c08c7d0f6599bb3328710e01e7b&hash=9efab20673bc1813cf1698fa9ae743bf6495e13f)
Oh.. and as for health risks.... can you look your daughter in the face and tell her,, her chance of Uterine cancer goes WAY up if she lives down stream of the mine????
Post by: shoot-em-dead on July 30, 2012, 09:44:27 PM
I guess it just gets under my skin when every freakin time a job or project is proposed people have to try and stop it. How is the world ever going to advance with all the BS.
Post by: Huntbear on July 30, 2012, 09:58:28 PM
Ok guys- so what do you think they should mine with- a pic and a wheel barrow. And yes huntbear, that is what a open mine would look like, any more obvious things you need to point out? And as for the cancer scare, just about every product I purchase has a label that says it might cause cancer according to the state of California.
I guess it just gets under my skin when every freakin time a job or project is proposed people have to try and stop it. How is the world ever going to advance with all the BS.
Ok.. so lets move this mine... lets put it right in the middle of the best elk hunting area in the state... THE BLUES,, they cyanide will leach into the Snake.. THE COLOCKUM the cyanide will leach straight into the Columbia... Better yet.. your back yard, the Yacolt Burn.... you willing to take that chance with your family???? You want to watch some of the best hunting in SW Washington disappear????? Montana voters killed this type of mining back in 1998 due to the health and environmental hazards.. If those conservative rednecks will vote against it.. I am pretty sure it is bad news...
Cyanide takes a very small amount to kill you... It will leach into the water supply, and flow down the Green river, into the Toutle River, then into the Cowlitz River, and into the Columbia... You wanna eat those fish??? You want your kids and grandkids playing in that water???? This affects more than just a 1.1 sq. mile of wilderness area... It will destroy the whole eco system in that area...
Post by: washelkhunter on July 30, 2012, 10:27:11 PM
Post by: KopperBuck on July 31, 2012, 10:12:53 AM
Im willing to look at their mining extraction systems and techniques before i pass a blanket judgement on this. It serves no purpose to be an alarmist about what might be or maybe. Im betting leach ore extraction is self contained in a controlled environment which can be monitored and regulated. I dont see them securing permission to dump toxic waste in the watershed. Those days are long gone. Lets not forget that these are small test bore wells to see exactly what is or is'nt in the ground. Odds are a mine will never be started. I appreciate the pics posted and i think you should take a good hard look at them. Thats MONEY brother. Heavy equipment operators at those mines start at $20+ per hour easy. Lots of men and women in this state could use good jobs like that. I understand the mine could run for 15+ years. A man can make a lot of dough. Besides; what benefit is it to save the environment at the expense of its peoples economy.
:yeah: It's not like it used to be. Miles of red tape. I toured several coal mines in W. Virginia, not what I expected.
Post by: fireweed on August 01, 2012, 10:41:14 AM
I read an interesting report on these smaller mining companies. Most of the time they never mine anything. The real purpose is to make the claim look good to investors, raise the price of their stock, and sell at a profit. They really don't have the capital nor expertise to mine for real. In fact, the previous owner of this area had never mined anything--ever. So it's just a big speculators game. And only one or two in thousands of claims actually get mined. Ascot is touting all the jobs it could bring to Lewis county, when it really isn't going to mine anything--probably ever, but will promote its stock, make promises, then sell for big $$$ for them and no $$ or jobs for Washington.
Post by: Huntbear on August 01, 2012, 11:29:49 AM
I have seen more than 200 head of elk in this valley... they gather here for calving, and as a staging/feeding point before the snow drives them lower...
OH, and some of the best elk hunting you can imagine if you get a Margaret tag.. which will be an OVER THE COUNTER tag in 2 years...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=102146.0;attach=216675;image)
Post by: kentrek on August 01, 2012, 02:44:11 PM
Post by: Booman2 on August 02, 2012, 08:50:29 PM
Lets see; in the last 50 years or so, is there even one cyanide leach open pit mine anywhere in the west where local citizens received good pay, retirement, and the local environment came out OK?
All cyanide leach mines have one thing in common: there are no other uses. If they mine, the area (of public land) will be fenced off, and all access will be prohibited - forever. It takes about the amount of cyanide in one grain of rice to kill a human, and it hangs around for a very long time. Cyanide, I understand, leaches out some nasty heavy minerals like lead and mercury which pollute moving waters for a very long time. Green River, the site of this project, is a river having 5 threatened species of salmon and steelhead (downstream) as well as at least two species of resident trout in the immediate area.
Our house of representatives recently passed a bill that exempts all mine profits from taxes, so it looks like whomever may want to mine this public land (purchased by the Trust for Public Lands with private money) and given to the USFS, will contribute nothing
to our betterment.
Not a real great deal, from where I stand.
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on August 02, 2012, 09:04:03 PM
Post by: washelkhunter on August 02, 2012, 09:24:02 PM
Post by: arguhl on August 03, 2012, 10:26:58 AM
Post by: washelkhunter on August 03, 2012, 11:00:02 AM
Post by: Special T on August 03, 2012, 11:08:12 AM
How many of you have been to the Silver Mountain area? That whole area at one time what water jet strip mined, a very destructive method. The stair stepping of the hills has since become very good grouse hunting I've been told. :twocents:
I am unfamiliar with this particular mining type but there has been MANY dangerous chemicals to mine/refine all metals. I would like to think that we have enacted rules/found ways to do it much cleaner. :twocents:
Post by: logger on August 03, 2012, 01:41:08 PM
Post by: Huntbear on August 03, 2012, 03:00:01 PM
Boomman2 Have any other these similar kinds of mines been opened in the USA in the last 15-20 years?
How many of you have been to the Silver Mountain area? That whole area at one time what water jet strip mined, a very destructive method. The stair stepping of the hills has since become very good grouse hunting I've been told. :twocents:
I am unfamiliar with this particular mining type but there has been MANY dangerous chemicals to mine/refine all metals. I would like to think that we have enacted rules/found ways to do it much cleaner. :twocents:
Does Water Jet Strip Mining include using Cyanide??? Poisoning the entire water table and eco system down stream clear to the Columbia River???
Post by: jackmaster on August 03, 2012, 03:21:56 PM
Anyone know for what they're drilling? This is exploration drilling - test holes. Environmental impact should be minimal at worst. I'd like to get more facts before getting all excited about this. If it's for natural gas or oil, I wouldn't oppose it. I've been saying drill baby drill for 8 years. I won't change now just because it's in my backyard. My :twocents:and here we go again i keep saying you got to run for president damn it, i like the way you think, i just need a good animal counting job with good bennys when you get to be the pres though...
Post by: Special T on August 03, 2012, 03:26:33 PM
I know they use mercury to separate gold out of other material, it is pretty toxic... But there are ways to minimize the problem.
Since Boomman2 said he has done a lot of research on this issue i am only asking him to enlighten me. I currently have no opinion on this issue, but am some what skeptical.
My commnet about Silver Mt area is that some "Damage" to the environment does not really hurt things in the long run... Cyanide is bad stuff, but He did not explain the process of how its used. I doubt its just injected into the ground. :twocents:
Post by: Archery King on August 03, 2012, 05:03:36 PM
Post by: RadSav on August 03, 2012, 06:21:49 PM
At this time I am not "for" or "against" it. I'd like to find out more from the test drilling before I get all worked up.
Post by: Special T on August 04, 2012, 08:01:10 AM
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on August 05, 2012, 11:23:49 AM
Post by: bench beast on August 05, 2012, 08:18:15 PM
Post by: Alpinegus on August 06, 2012, 11:45:05 AM
Post by: slim9300 on August 06, 2012, 03:35:33 PM
Strange how the Feds will potentially allow a giant open pit mine but harvesting timber on federal ground is pretty much completely shut down.
It's not strange, it's sickening and typical government hypocrisy.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: fireweed on August 07, 2012, 08:47:52 AM
IMHO there is NO WAY on earth that this mine will happen in this location. Forget it, there will be no jobs. There are simply too many issues to overcome. Steep unstable slopes sliding left and right. Mount St. Helens Monument literally next door. Potential for eruptions that dump feet of ash and pumice. Streams galore. Massive amounts of rain and snow. Old growth , Spotted Owls, drinking water, fish-- you name the issue, it's there. Remember this is "eco-minded" Washington state--and the wet side, too--not dry Nevada, Utah or Montana.
We've got both senators against it. The USFS can't possibly say it's ok (they'd get run out on a rail and the Park Service would be waiting to take over the area). And the Government owns 1/2 the mineral rights.
It might be understandable if this mine was critical for the UNITED STATES and the minerals needed here for OUR country--but for a Canadian company to mine for copper that China wants for ipods??? NO WAY.
This is just a scheme by Ascot to find a profitable load, advertise how much $$ is underground (without stating the problems) raise their stock prices, and make money from speculators, before they dump it. Don't be duped: no jobs here (unless the USFS returns to logging).
Post by: tbuck6568 on August 07, 2012, 09:42:32 AM
As for reasons the volcanic natl monument lines were drawn around that area, I read (of course on the internet-google Mt Margaret Washington mining and you'll find all sorts of interesting articles) that the original owners wouldn't sell the land to the feds because they knew the potential value of the area. There's been mines there for a long time-early 1900's. Just look at a trail map for the area and they're marked. You can even find em on gps topo uploads.
Here's why I think they're pretty serious about mining this area though. (as in going beyond boosting stock value)
#1, They've invested over $122 million dollars on this project already, seems like a lot of money just to dump it. #2, There's all kinds of claims that this is the biggest deposit in Washington state. According to thier finds, there's a LOT of copper and some gold in this deposit.
And #3, support. At least one Republican group, and various state officials support it. Ascot has (or had, I haven't attempted to call the number I found) an office in Morton and has been attempting to gain a lot of local support for this.
With this kind of action and weight behind it they mean business. I hope that NFS or somebody will build access around the area so everybody can still get to the trail and rebuild a camp if they tear up the existing one.
Post by: nontypical176 on August 07, 2012, 04:23:58 PM
Post by: youngbull on August 07, 2012, 05:26:04 PM
Post by: Huntbear on August 07, 2012, 05:35:29 PM
NOT open pit cyanide strip mines..
Post by: Knocker of rocks on August 07, 2012, 06:02:53 PM
Yes, there are old fashioned mines, dug into the mtns...
NOT open pit cyanide strip mines..
Cyanide leaching is a refining process distinct from the mining process. The ore can be removed by tunnel and stoop or by open pit. The ore is then processed by one or more methods, thermal reduction being common for sulphur bearing ores. Because gold is often disseminated in a quartz matrix, and because cyanide dissolves gold, a combination of mechanical pulverizing, gravity separation and cyanide dissolution is often employed. I believe the gold ore from the Lone Jack , up the Nooksack, is sent to Trail BC for batch leaching.
The open pit mine at Kennecotts Bingham Utah mine is the nations largest hole, and employs no cyanide (AFAIK), and all refining is thermal for primarily copper and lesser gold, silver and lead.
I know nothing about this mine in question, but assume it would be a gold mine into the younger acidic rocks of the Cascades. The Wenatchee mines utilized a similar young rhyolite as their source.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 07, 2012, 06:28:54 PM
Post by: Kola16 on August 07, 2012, 07:16:49 PM
Post by: fireweed on August 08, 2012, 09:54:08 AM
#1, They've invested over $122 million dollars on this project already, seems like a lot of money just to dump it. .
Where and what did they invest that kind of money on up there. They drilled a few holes last year, and did an EA, maybe rented an "office" in Morton. A few years ago a "claim" up there sold for a whopping $20,000 (yes, 20-thousand bucks--price of a used car). Where did you get that number????
Post by: Special T on August 08, 2012, 11:42:33 AM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 09, 2012, 05:41:36 PM
Post by: fireweed on August 10, 2012, 08:54:48 AM
Behind the smoke and mirrors it is clear this "company" is incapable of actually mining here! They have three "projects" total. 1) an old gold mine (where they don't actually say they plan to start mining) 2) a GRAVEL mine aka gravel pit 3) Mt. Margaret.
Here's what they will pay for Mt. Margaret: $400,000 so far with 1.6 million due in a year.
There stock as of today was worth 88-cents a share.
It is a Junior resource company and states: "The Company's focus is exploring for gold, silver and copper in North America" They don't even claim to be mining! This is simply an exploring company looking to turn this over for a profit, and dangling the promise of jobs in front of locals to get their support. Jobs that they have no capability of producing.
Post by: Special T on August 10, 2012, 08:59:26 AM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 10, 2012, 09:29:10 AM
Post by: fireweed on August 10, 2012, 10:17:39 AM
Post by: Special T on August 10, 2012, 11:20:38 AM
Post by: Huntbear on August 10, 2012, 11:32:27 AM
could be but i thought you said this was BLM or some other public land anyway? :o
This is National Forest.. immediately joined to the Volcanic Nat'l. Monument.... literally a stones throw away... immediatly north of the east end of the Margaret, along the Green River
Post by: Special T on August 10, 2012, 11:40:43 AM
Post by: fireweed on August 13, 2012, 02:57:44 PM
Post by: tbuck6568 on August 17, 2012, 04:21:46 PM
Post by: fireweed on January 13, 2015, 10:41:04 AM
http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/jan/06/company-drops-drilling-plan-near-mount-st-helens/ (http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/jan/06/company-drops-drilling-plan-near-mount-st-helens/)
Post by: Killdux on January 14, 2015, 10:33:43 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 14, 2015, 11:19:05 PM
Good News!
:yeah: :yeah: :yeah: