Critics Challenge Proposed Mine’s Impact Statement

Opponents of the proposed Crown Jewel gold mine near Chesaw, Wash., have appealed the environmental review of the project that states the mine won’t harm surrounding land.

The Okanogan Highlands Alliance Wednesday called the final environmental impact statement released last month a “travesty” and detailed a list of complaints about the results of the study completed by federal land management agencies.

The alliance accuses the agencies of failing to meet disclosure requirements and ignoring the impacts the gold mine would have on streams on Buckhorn Mountain, the mine site.

Efforts to reach U.S. Forest Service officials familiar with the study were not successful Wednesday. The alliance said the service has 30 days to consider the appeal and objections.

Houston-based Battle Mountain Gold Co. and joint partner Crown Resources Inc. have been developing the project, which would produce 3,000 tons of ore a day for eight years.

Battle Mountain has worked for most of the decade to finish the environmental impact statement and its accompanying record of decision to let the mine proceed. Battle Mountain project manager Brant Hinze continues to work in Olympia to secure state permits for the project.

Appeals were not unexpected. Alliance members have had deep reservations about the mine’s impact on the fragile water supply and air quality in the region.

“This isn’t failing to dot your i’s - it’s a gross oversight,” Dave Kliegman of the alliance said in a statement. “Either the Forest Service intentionally ignored scientific data critical of the mine proposal, or they were terribly careless in reviewing this project.”

If this appeal fails, the alliance could still challenge the project at the state level, according to agency permitters.

, DataTimes