We heard you loud and clear; the South Fork Salmon River is worth protecting.

Idaho has so many rivers that are worth celebrating, but there is just something special about the South Fork of the Salmon and tributaries. For the Nez Perce tribe, this area represents both irreplaceable cultural heritage and present day tribal resources. For anglers and whitewater paddlers, it represents the best of the best. For summer chinook salmon and other salmonids, it represents a cold water refugium in the face of a changing climate, with some of the best habitat left in the Columbia Basin. 

In the week leading up to the October 28th deadline for public comment on the Stibnite Gold Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement, a groundswell of voices rose up from people that believe this is a river system that is worth protecting. Folks from across the country spoke out to highlight the immense risk and irreversible impacts posed by Midas Gold Corporation’s mine proposal. But most importantly, these folks turned their passion and concern into action, and over 1500 individual public comment letters were sent through IRU’s website to Payette National Forest. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in this effort to raise awareness on this incredibly important issue, and let both the US Forest Service and legislators know that Idaho rivers are worth more than gold. 

Our work to protect the South Fork Salmon River headwaters is far from done, and we ask you to stay tuned as more opportunities to advocate for this precious resource will arise as Midas Gold Inc. applies for various permits and the USFS considers all of the comments submitted on the DEIS. In the meantime, consider writing a letter to the editor for your local newspaper, or submit a letter to the Forest Service and your legislatures, and share why this is a river worth protecting.