Idaho group drops lawsuit over Salmon River dredging
RIVERS -- An Idaho conservation group has dropped its lawsuit challenging state approval of a plan to dredge a stretch of the Salmon River for gold, according to the Associated Press.
The Idaho Conservation League backed away from its lawsuit last week mainly because the Mike Conklin of Grangeville also scrapped his plans to dredge the river.
ICL sued days after the state approved a mining lease for Conklin. In September, Conklin was awarded a five-year lease by the Idaho Land Board for exclusive access to a half-mile stretch of river downstream of Riggins.
In its lawsuit, ICL argued the state needed to approve a reclamation plan before approving suction dredge leases.
ICL officials say they also won state assurances that if Conklin changed his mind, he would have to go through the entire lease process again.