OHA appeals SEIS for Buckhorn Mine Proposal

October 20, 2006

from Okanogan Highlands Alliance

Okanogan Highlands Alliance appealed Washington State Department of Ecology's decision to approve a gold mine on Buckhorn Mountain. Three permits and the SEIS were appealed. The complaint lists over thirty issues including permanent impacts to water rights, streams and wetlands, failure to accurately predict the impacts of the mine proposal impacts and failure to mitigate the impacts. OHA has requested a stay of construction activities.

"The SEIS fails to address groundwater contamination and long-term or permanent drying up of wetlands and streams that the proposed mine would cause." says David Kliegman, director of the Okanogan Highlands Alliance, "The SEIS does not offer adequate mitigation for the impacts it does identify."

The underground shafts proposed to mine the gold would cause a permanent shift in the way water flows off the mountain adversely affecting people with senior water rights and have the potential to pollute groundwater for generations to come. The SEIS makes no mention of the long-term impact on streams associated with dewatering the mountain to allow mining, degrading groundwater quality, and the changes in water quantity and quality associated with discharge of treated mine water.

"The Department of Ecology has failed to address the issues that caused the previous mine to be rejected by the Pollution Control Hearings Board." Kliegman continues, "Ecology has a responsibility to protect the environment especially when a project may severely impact the livelihood of local people and the public interest."

The appeal includes a Construction Stormwater General Permit, Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reclamation permits, a change in a water right, and the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

The failed Crown Jewel open-pit mine proposal was rejected in January 2000 when the Pollution Control Hearings Board could not be assured that water quality and senior water rights would be protected.

The Okanogan Highlands Alliance is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating the public about the environmental threats of large-scale mining.

Contact: David Kliegman
Okanogan Highlands Alliance
PO Box 163
Tonasket, WA 98855
509-485-3361
kliegoha@televar.com
http://www.okanoganhighlandsalliance.org