Mining and Policy Update
Aerial view of the Stibnite Mine
Winter has faded into spring, and the first quarter of the year has come to an end. With so much unfolding in such a short time, it can feel overwhelming to process it all. From “drill baby drill” becoming the new administration’s slogan to sweeping policy moves that threaten to dismantle protections for our public lands—and even the illegal firings of thousands of essential federal employees—the message is clear: industry is being prioritized over people, and over the environment that we rely on. But what does all of this mean for Idaho?
Our public lands need our help. Now more than ever.
But, there is good news.
Idaho Rivers United and many other dedicated organizations are working tirelessly to advocate for and protect the lands and waters that give Idaho its legacy. Our natural resources provide clean air and water, support wildlife, and offer countless recreational opportunities while sustaining local communities. These lands belong to all of us—and we will not sit back while the administration hands them over to foreign mining companies to exploit for short-term gain.
Idaho Mining Update
The U.S. Forest Service kicked off the new year by issuing the Final Record of Decision for the Stibnite Gold Project this past January. While this decision to permit an open-pit cyanide leach gold mine in Idaho’s Salmon River Mountains is deeply disappointing, it is not surprising. We have been preparing for this possibility for quite some time, and we are ready to take action.
On February 18, 2025, Idaho Rivers United, alongside our partners, filed a lawsuit against the Forest Service challenging their approval of the Stibnite Gold Project. This project poses an unacceptable risk to the South Fork of the Salmon River watershed, one of the most critical and vulnerable ecosystems in our state. The potential for long-term environmental damage is staggering, and we refuse to let this go unchallenged.
While forging ahead on the journey to protect the Salmon River watershed, it is important to celebrate the wins along the way. IRU and our partners appealed the water quality permit issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the Stibnite Gold Project, citing serious flaws in the permit’s ability to protect water quality. In response, DEQ has moved to revise the permit to address a number of the issues raised in our appeal. Among our key concerns were the failure to fully assess and safeguard against mercury, arsenic, and antimony pollution expected from the mine throughout the headwaters of the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River, as well as the lack of a sufficient socioeconomic justification for granting the permit.
For those who live and recreate within the Boise River watershed, it is time to pay attention to CuMo Exploration Project. On March 14, 2025, the U.S. Forest Service approved Idaho Copper Corporation’s proposal to construct nearly 9 miles of new roads and clear vegetation for 122 drill pads in the Boise National Forest near Grimes Creek. Last year, IRU and our partners submitted our objections to the Forest Service’s draft decision issuing a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI), exempting the project from a full review under an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Approval of the CuMo Exploration Project places a massive drilling operation in the headwaters of the Boise River. The site has been pitched to investors as evolving into one of the largest open-pit mines in the world. Located just 15 miles from Idaho City and upstream of one of Boise’s main drinking water sources, the site’s proposed development raises significant concerns. Public awareness is essential to understand its potential effects on water quality, wildlife, and recreation in the area.
Policy Updates
If you’ve been following IRU for a while, you know we’ve long championed meaningful reform to our nation’s outdated mining laws—laws that have prioritized industry interests over environmental protection for far too long. While recent policy proposals claim to modernize mining regulations, they actually move us in the wrong direction, threatening to further entrench corporate access to public lands at the expense of people, water, and wildlife.
Even though the mining industry already receives countless handouts in the U.S., President Trump signed an executive order telling federal agencies to make mining on public lands an even bigger priority.
The order pushes to open up more public lands for mining by speeding up the permitting process, using taxpayer money to subsidize mining projects—often proposed by wealthy, and usually foreign, companies—and directing federal agencies to treat mining and mineral production as the top priority for how our public lands are utilized. But putting mining above all other uses directly conflicts with the Federal Land Policy Management Act, which requires public lands to be managed for multiple uses that benefit everyone—not just mining companies.
While an executive order is not law, a bill passed by Congress would be. Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) has brought back the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (MRCA), legislation that hands over even more control of our public lands than the outdated 1872 Mining Law already does. The proposed bill could give mining companies broad, unchecked power to use public lands for dumping toxic waste and building infrastructure like roads and pipelines, without meaningful limits. It would allow them to claim unlimited millsites and block other important uses like clean energy, water protection, and recreation.
The bill also undermines the over-century-long precedent that requires companies to prove they’ve found valuable minerals before doing large-scale work, and could let them bypass permits for activities not directly on a mining claim. Though some clauses may appear as protective measures, they are mostly symbolic, as the bill grants companies a statutory right to use public land that agencies can’t deny. The MRCA could open the door to widespread environmental harm and industrial sprawl across our public lands, leaving states —such as Idaho—unrecognizable.
Did I mention that the bill is cosponsored by Idaho’s very own Senators Risch and Crapo?
Despite these challenges, there is hope. The power to protect our public lands, waters, and communities lies in our collective voices and actions. Idaho Rivers United, alongside our dedicated partners and supporters like you, will continue to fight for responsible stewardship and environmental justice. We will push back against reckless policies, advocate for sustainable land management, and ensure that Idaho's landscapes remain intact for future generations.
How You Can Help
This fight is far from over, and we need your support now more than ever. Here are a few ways you can make a difference:
Stay Informed: Follow Idaho Rivers United for updates on this case and other critical issues impacting our public lands.
Get Involved: Volunteer with us, attend our events, or lend your expertise to our cause.
Donate: Your contributions keep us going to be able to ensure that our lands remain protected for future generations.
We know that the road ahead will not be easy, but with your support, we will continue to fight for Idaho’s rivers, lands, and people. Together, we can and will make a difference.
Thank you for standing up for your public lands and the rivers that run through them.
For our rivers,
Sydney Anderson
