Meeting on exploratory drilling in Sandpoint area upcoming

NATURAL RESOURCES – A mining company hopes to conduct exploratory drilling on National Forest lands within the Sand Creek-Lake Pend Oreille watershed.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests will hold a public meeting on Feb. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the Sandpoint Ranger District Office (1602 Ontario St., Sandpoint).

At the meeting the public can learn and ask questions about the project, according to an Idaho Panhandle National Forests news release.

The proposed drilling site would include two exploratory holes drilled to a maximum depth of 200 feet. According to the Sandpoint Reader, the drilling is not necessarily a step toward a mine. Instead, it’s intended to gather data on silica reserves.

For more information: fs.usda.gov or contact Courtney Priddy (208) 765-7207.