Navigating the Stibnite Gold Project: A Year in Review & the Road Ahead for IRU

As we enter 2024, there are plenty of projects on the horizon that Idaho Rivers United is preparing to tackle to protect our rivers for all. In particular, we expect the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision for the Stibnite Gold Project to be released by the Forest Service this year. But, before we look ahead, we must reflect upon the work we have accomplished so far.

Flashback to the end of 2022 – the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement was released by the U.S. Forest Service and open to the public for comments. During the 75-day comment period, our team was diving deep into the thousands of pages of technical documents trying to make sense of Perpetua’s proposed plan and the Forest Service’s analysis. 

Throughout this period, IRU was delighted by the enthusiastic engagement of the public in understanding the implications of the Stibnite Gold Project and exploring ways to get involved. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took part in our comment writing workshops, joined the River RAT webinars, attended Forest Service Open Houses, and submitted comments directly to the Forest Service.

In January of 2023, Idaho Rivers United and our coalition members submitted our final draft of comments for the Stibnite Gold Project Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement. With that monumental step in the process set by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) behind us, there are still plenty of permits to watch out for as we wait for the next phase of the NEPA process to be released.

In July, IRU worked with other organizations in our coalition to submit comments on the proposed Points of Compliance (POC) for groundwater monitoring through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The POC establishes a monitoring network of wells to ensure that groundwater quality standards are met as outlined within the Idaho Groundwater Quality Rule. Following a thorough examination of Perpetua's proposed plan and the received comments, IDEQ found Perpetua’s proposed monitoring plan to be insufficient and has mandated a more comprehensive and rigorous system of monitoring wells. 

Furthermore, IDEQ has also declined Perpetua's cyanidation permit, a requirement integral to their on-site processing plans. This was due to Perpetua Resources failing to gather and include all of the necessary information for the DEQ to fully evaluate the plans for the cyanidation facility.

Just a few months later in September, the comment period for Perpetua’s 404 Clean Water Act (CWA) permit opened. Simply put, the 404 Clean Water Act permit for a mining project is a document issued by the government that allows the mining company to impact or disturb certain water bodies, such as rivers or wetlands, during their operations. The permit outlines specific conditions and limits to try to ensure that the mining activities are not causing excessive pollution or damage to the surrounding water resources.

Yet, when considering the Stibnite Gold Project (SGP), virtually every facet of the proposed mine is poised to have a significant influence on wetlands and streams. Our submitted comments highlighted a myriad of concerns, encompassing issues such as the adverse effects on water quality, insufficient safeguards for species listed under the Endangered Species Act, and a lack of evidence demonstrating effective compensatory mitigation.

Today as we look ahead, our focus remains committed to the ongoing battle for the conservation of the South Fork Salmon River and the surrounding ecosystem. In the first week of 2024, the Forest Service made adjustments to its schedule, deferring the anticipated release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and the Draft Record of Decision (DROD). Initially slated for public commentary by the end of January 2024, the FEIS and DROD may be ready for the public in April 2024, with the Final ROD expected to follow later in the fourth quarter of the year. 

IRU, in collaboration with our partners, remains steadfast in guaranteeing that the voices of our members are well represented in these projects. We promise to keep the public involved as updates on the Stibnite Gold Project arise. The South Fork Salmon River, along with the invaluable resources at stake in this project, will forever merit protection. Our dedication to safeguarding this vital natural resource and its environment only grows stronger as we adapt to these timeline shifts.