Rock Creek SEIS expected next year
DOVER — The developers of the proposed Rock Creek Mine in northwestern Montana anticipate the release of an enhanced Environmental Impact Statement early next year.
The U.S. Forest Service issued a record of decision for the copper and silver mining proposal in 2001, but it was remanded back to the agency for further analysis in 2013.
“We expect the agency to issue that draft supplemental (EIS) for public comment sometime in February,” Doug Stiles, operations manager for Hecla Mining Co., told the Idaho Lakes Commission on Tuesday.
The environmental document was kicked back to the Forest Service to identify riparian habitat conservation areas and determine scheduling for implementation of a sediment-reduction measures to aid bull trout and fold in the latest information since the EIS was first issued.
The Coeur d’Alene-based mining company also offered the commission a seat at its environmental stewardship panel, which was formed two years ago to interface with members of the public who have questions or concerns about Hecla’s operations.
“It was really our effort to provide a framework for dialogue,” said Luke Russell, Hecla’s vice president of external affairs. “Hecla’s very interested in hearing concerns and making Rock Creek the project the best it can be."
Commission Chairman Ford Elsaesser said the board would likely take up the offer. The commission has been keeping tabs on the controversial mining plan since the board’s inception.
“The Rock Creek Mine, I think, was the first non-lake level issue that we heard about going back to the origination of the commission 14-15 years ago,” Elsaesser said.
The mine is met with mixed feelings in Bonner County.
Some contend water quality in Lake Pend Oreille will be jeopardized because treated wastewater from the mine will be discharged into the Clark Fork River.
Others counter that it will the most rigidly regulated mine and will provide more than 300 jobs in the region.
Hecla, the oldest mining company in the U.S., purchased the Troy Mine and Rock Creek proposal earlier this year. It’s closing down and reclaiming the Troy project and focusing its energy on Rock Creek.
Stiles said Troy is being closed due to the quality of the ore that’s left and metals prices.
Hecla said it has had demonstrable success with operating mines in ecologically sensitive areas with wildlife. Russell said the company’s Greens Ferry mine in Alaska is adjacent to the Admiralty Island National Monument, five species of salmon and 1,600 bears.
The Greens Ferry Mine has been in operation for 27 years.
“We’ve learned how to work with bears, with sensitive fish,” Russell said, referring to concerns that Rock Creek will impact grizzly bear and bull trout.
Stiles said the company plans to reduce its discharges to the Clark Fork River. It’s also eliminated discharges to the river when an evaluation adit.
“That’s no longer the plan. We’ve eliminated that discharge to the Clark Fork,” said Stiles