PUBLIC LANDS -- The Wilderness Act is colliding with federal mining laws in a famed protected roadless area in Central Idaho -- and the mining laws rule.

Payette National Forest Supervisor Keith Lannom has decided to allow miners to bring dump trucks and bulldozers into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the Idaho Statesman reported Tuesday.

Lannom approved allowing American Independence Mines and Minerals Co. to upgrade a trail back to a road to prove up a claim made prior to the establishment of the wilderness area in 1980. A federal court ordered the Forest Service in 2002 to allow the prospecting of the Golden Hand Mine, located near Big Creek in Valley County.

“This work is being approved to ensure that valid rights exist,” Lannom said. “To do that, the mining claimant must be allowed to show they have made a discovery.”

Federal mining laws and the Wilderness Act allow for mining valid claims made prior to protection of the area. The Idaho Conservation League had urged Lannom to instead require the mining company to make its workers walk into the site and to use helicopters and horses to carry necessary equipment into the area.

“We do understand that this project will impact the wilderness character in the project area by allowing for motorized transportation within the wilderness area,” said Lannom. “We have determined that this course of action will reduce the negative impacts to the greatest extent possible while complying with federal laws and the court order.”

Lannom said limiting access to foot and horses would not allow the miner his full rights.