What’s at stake…
The Stibnite Gold Project compromises some of Idaho’s most vital river habitat for wild fish.
The Risks:
The South Fork of the Salmon River
The South Fork of the Salmon River is truly remarkable. It holds some of the best habitat in the lower 48 for Chinook salmon and Bull Trout, is a prized recreational resource for whitewater paddlers, and has some of the best trout fishing and hunting in Idaho.
Here are key reasons of why the South Fork of the Salmon River needs to be protected, and what we risk losing if the Stibnite Mine project moves forward.
1. Fisheries
The East Fork of the South Fork (EFSF) of the Salmon River provides critical habitat for three ESA listed fish species: Chinook salmon, steelhead, and Bull Trout. The National Marine Fisheries Service has designated all tributaries of the Salmon River presently or historically accessible to Chinook salmon, including the entire South Fork System.
The river system is also world renowned for its incredible fly fishing opportunities. Much of the river system is remote, untouched, and wild, making it a perfect river system for producing record setting fish.
Additionally, the South Fork of the Salmon River is vital to Idaho’s overall efforts in salmon restoration. Flowing into the main stem of the Salmon River, the health of this waterway directly impacts the health of salmon that migrate to Idaho to spawn. A dam break or leak at the mine site could have catastrophic consequences for this ecologically and economically important river system, and decades of salmon restoration work.
2. Recreation
Compromising the South Fork of the Salmon and all of its tributaries downstream would not onl compromise our ability to enjoy it; it would impact our recreation economy and the riverside communities that are built around it.
The EFSF Salmon River is an incredible recreational resource. It’s a popular destination for fly fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and is renowned for its whitewater. Downstream, the South Fork of the Salmon is suitable for Wild & Scenic designation, and is world famous for its whitewater and scenic character. The Salmon River is a destination river, and people travel from all over the world to this remote river to explore and enjoy it. Many guiding and outfitting businesses rely on the Salmon River for their expeditions and livelihoods, making it central to Idaho’s recreation economy.
3. Tribal & Cultural Losses
Indigenous and Native peoples have relied on and lived in this area for thousands of years. This land, waterways and wild fish are not only critical their survival and way of life, but equally as important are sacred to their spiritual and cultural beliefs. Even more destruction and degradation to the environment and their culture is at stake and threatened by this project. This area falls within the Nez Perce Tribe’s aboriginal hunting, fishing, and foraging grounds, to which they have treaty rights.
Additionally, Perpetua Resources (formerly known as Midas Gold) has emphasized to investors that there is a high potential for expansion beyond the current project. Expansion of the project would likely result in a greater loss of access to lands, and alter the timeframe for how long these lands would be inaccessible to all people.
4. Risks of Open-pits & Gold Mining
Research from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that nearly every gold mine spills hazardous materials. Gold mines almost always pollute ground or surface water, and those that do not typically lack a nearby water source.
Based on recent research on pollution from gold mines, it is a near certain probability that the Stibnite Mine Project will spill hazardous materials and/or pollute surface or ground water within the Salmon River Watershed.
5. Impacts to Wilderness, Public Lands & Wildlife
Access to 13,446 acres of public land would be lost, in addition to the 3,423 acres that would comprise the mine footprint, for a minimum of 20 years. The East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River is productive habitat for endangered and threatened chinook, steelhead and bull trout. Much of the area is pristine wilderness, and parts of the Salmon River system are eligable for Wild & Scenic River designation. Mining in the headwaters would negatively impact water quality and cause a reduction of Bull Trout and Chinook habitat within the operation boundaries. Access would be lost to vast areas of public land, and previously undisturbed land would be a part of the project.
Creeks and streams on or near the site already have high levels of arsenic from legacy mining impacts. Reopening the mining district would lead to more arsenic, mercury and other heavy metals being released into Idaho rivers.
The potential for a major leak or contamination event would lead to river water quality compromises locally, but also regionally. Stibnite is located near the headwaters of the South Fork of the Salmon River. Therefore, if there were to be a cataclysmic contamination event, the repercussions would extend to Riggins, Lewiston and beyond. The downstream communities are dependent upon the Salmon River for their economies, and any actions that could compromise livelihoods should be considered dangerous.
More on Endangered Species & Perpetua Resources
The East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River is productive habitat for endangered and threatened Chinook, steelhead and Bull Trout. While fish have not been able to migrate past the Yellow Pine Pit on the East Fork, they are present in the river system up to the “glory hole.” In addition, Meadow Creek and other tributaries above the Yellow Pine Pit boast high quality rearing and spawning habitat for endangered resident Bull Trout, rainbow trout and other species.
The tunnel proposed by Perpetua is also of great concern because there are no guarantees that it will in fact be recognized as a viable passage by migrating fish. If Perpetua leaves the site for any reason and does not see restoration a reasonable conclusion the East Fork of the South Fork will remain in a tunnel until finances are procured to put it back to some resemblance of a natural state. Additionally, if the tunnel is as productive and effective as Perpetua claims, and fish do indeed use it to travel, the area upstream that they would have access to would be degraded from mining operations.
Endangered Species
The presence of endangered fish species above and below the site warrants federally mandated precautions and protections. Plans to re-channel and de-water streams are unacceptable actions and directly compromise endangered species habitat needs.
Putting a river into a tunnel is objectionable, and would directly compromise habitat for endangered fish. If the project is not seen through to completion, citizens will be left with their river in a tunnel and another costly rehabilitation project.
Other Issues
Recreational opportunities on the East Fork and the South Fork of the Salmon River are in question if the project is permitted.
There are no guarantees with mining, other than what we have seen historically, and that is short-term gains with long-term repercussions. All mining companies claim that their actions are state-of-the-art and that they're armed with the best technology. Inevitably, however, contamination arises.
The South Fork of the Salmon River is a managed as a suitable Wild & Scenic River. Therefore, it is paramount that water quality not be compromised so that this river can remain suitable to someday join the ranks of other pristine Idaho Wild and Scenic rivers.
More Information
This project is massive and includes many different interested parties. In addition, there is a long, complex history at Stibnite, Idaho. Therefore, we encourage you to be educated. Here are some more resources to help shed light on this project.
Perpetua Resources’ (formerly called Midas gold) Plan of Operations
Forest Service Stibnite Project
Idaho Rivers United's Official Scoping Comments
Forest Service Public Scoping comments Summary
National Environmental Policy Act and IRU
National Environmental Policy Citizen Guide
USGS Stibnite Mining Area Water Quality Analysis