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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Stay Extended In Idaho Forests

From Staff And Wire Reports

Environmental groups agreed with government negotiators Wednesday to extend a stay of a U.S. District Court injunction from Saturday morning until March 15.

The injunction would have stopped all mining, timber and road work in six Idaho national forests. U.S. District Court Judge David Ezra stayed his injunction last Friday before it would potentially have put people out of work on Monday.

Two environmental groups asked for the injunction to protect Snake River salmon habitat. Their lawsuit contends the U.S. Forest Service failed to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service when creating long-term forest management plans.

The injunction could have stopped work at Coeur d’Alene-based Hecla Mining Co.’s Grouse Creek gold mine in the Challis National Forest. The extended stay lessens the threat that the 185 jobs there and others would be lost in the forests.

Lawyers from Hecla and other mining companies asked for more time to appeal to the court to allow mines to operate despite the injunction. The extended stay will most likely allow the Forest Service to finish its consultation with National Marine Fisheries Service, and that would end the injunction.

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