A call to action on Perpetua mining & gearing up for the SEIS
Perpetua mining site near the SF Salmon, shot on a recent tour of the area. PC: Nick Kunath, IRU staff
YELLOW PINE, ID – For anyone following Perpetua Resources' proposed mine outside of Yellow Pine, ID, you are likely aware that we are anxiously awaiting the Forest Service to release a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS). Initially, we expected this to be released sometime this summer but we’re clearly past that timeline. Based on the most recent information and indications from the Forest Service, we now are expecting the SDEIS to be released sometime in November. This new timeline is problematic as we could likely see the release of the SDEIS coincide with the busy winter holiday season. With that in mind, take action here by requesting the Forest Service to extend the public comment period to 120-days to allow ample evaluation.
In addition to this updated timeline, we wanted to take a moment to provide our members with some information and a refresher on what has led to this point in the overall project review process. The initial DEIS released in August of 2020, was woefully inadequate and was missing plenty of data and reports that were relevant and would have served as significant areas for additional analysis.
The list of missing information and analyses is not limited to but includes:
● Waste rock management plan;
● Environmental legacy management plan (reclamation plan);
● Water management plan; and
● Modeling data necessary to determine the project-specific copper criteria for fish.
Shortly after the public comment period was closed, Perpetua released a major update to their plan of operation in the form of ModPro2. The ModPro2 is a major change to the proposed action, as it includes a revised transportation route, transmission lines, waste management and disposal, water management, processing facilities, and reclamation and closure.
The proposed design in the ModPro2 departs significantly from the alternatives previously described in the DEIS and likely includes significant new impacts that were not previously analyzed in the DEIS.
Some of the significant changes in the ModPro2 include:
● Expansion of disposal of waste rock to Hanger Flat Pit backfill;
● Expansion of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) volume;
● Creation of lined water storage pond, titled “Stibnite Lake” on Yellow Pine pit backfill;
● Additional run of mine ore stockpile west of Scout Ridge;
● Re-handling and processing of waste rock from Hangar Flats Development Rock Storage Facility (DRSF) above-grade portions of Hangar Flats pit backfill, if supported by gold prices;
● Piping of Midnight Creek under haul roads, and diversion of the lower portion of West End Creek; and
● Addition of a surface water intake.
Following the release of the Modpro2, and as an acknowledgment of the gaps found within the DEIS, the Forest Service began the process of creating the SDEIS. We expect this upcoming release to be quite lengthy and will be releasing additional information along the way to help our members identify areas of concern as well as hosting workshops and other events related to comment writing and having your voice heard in this process.
In the meantime, we already have a handful of resources available that we recommend you familiarize yourself with so you can hit the ground running when the time comes. Specifically, on our advocacy page, you will find links to a number of our River RAT videos that provide a brief outline and guidance on what to consider when writing public comments.
Public opinion matters and we will continue to do all that we can to support our members and the general public to stay informed and involved in this highly controversial project.
Thank you to anyone who previously submitted comments and has been involved in this project thus far. With that in mind, take action here by requesting the Forest Service to extend the public comment period to 120-days to allow ample evaluation.
