Several agencies are seeking public comment on a proposed plan to modify the Thompson Creek Mine near Challis and dispose of public land.
The Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other public agencies will review a permit for expansion of the molybdenum mine that would involve 350 acres of federal lands and 80 acres of private land.
The plan includes expansion of two existing waste rock facilities and would likely disturb additional federal wetlands. If a permit is approved by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and issued by the Forest Service, the mine could continue operating until approximately 2030.
The Thompson Creek Mining Co. is also proposing a land exchange, in which 900 acres of the company's privately held land would be given to the Bureau of Land Management in exchange for 5,000 acres of land, part of which already contains sections of the mine.
The proposals are available for review at two public meetings. The first will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Boise Bureau of Land Management Office, and the second will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 24 at the Challis Middle School.
Written comments can be sent to Thompson Creek Mine EIS, c/o Brian Buck, JBR Environmental Consultants, 8160 South Highland Drive, Sandy, Utah, 84093. Buck is also reachable by fax at (801) 942-1852.
Comments can also be delivered in person to the Challis Bureau of Land Management Field Office, where the scoping documents will also be available for review.
Katherine Wutz: kwutz@mtexpress.com
