Mine Ruling On Hold

Sat., Feb. 12, 2000

From Staff

It may be a month or more before the state of Washington decides whether to appeal a recent decision revoking water rights for the proposed Crown Jewel Mine.

Battle Mountain Gold wants the state to join in appeal of a recent Pollution Control Hearings Board decision that overturned water rights and a water quality permit for the proposed gold mine in Okanogan County.

Officials from the Houston-based company and several state legislators met this week with Gov. Gary Locke and Tom Fitzsimmons, director of the Department of Ecology.

Before an appeal can be filed, the Pollution Control Hearings Board must rule on a motion for reconsideration submitted by the company and Ecology. The motion asks the board to clarify issues related to the proposed environmental impact statement.

“We want those same issues clarified,” said Joye Redfield, DOE spokeswoman in Yakima. “It also buys time to decide whether to appeal.”

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Mine Ruling On Hold

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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