Forest Service meets with public on Hall Mountain drilling project

July 2, 2014

Turns out there was much more interest and concern about the Hall Mountain test drilling project than the Forest Service anticipated. Even though the project has apparently been in the works over at least the past year or so, it flew under the radar of most people in the area right up until now, as the drills are literally about to bite into the ground on Hall Mountain within the next couple of weeks. Articles that appeared on NewsBF, the Bonners Ferry Herald, and in the Spokesman-Review over the past week, and the power of word of mouth, suddenly made this an unexpected big issue in Boundary County. Forest Service representatives had scheduled a meeting yesterday (Tuesday, July 1) to discuss the project, arranging to meet with a few individuals who had expressed questions or wanted more information. Even though the meeting had been arranged and announced on very short notice, word of mouth quickly spread, and approximately 30 vocal people showed up at the U.S. Forest Service office in Bonners Ferry to learn more about international mining company MMG Limited, and that company's plans to test drill three sites on Hall Mountain to look for zinc.  (For more details on the drilling project, please click here to see the story previously published on NewsBF).  It was apparent at the meeting that had there been more time for word to get around, or more public notice given, likely many more than those thirty would have been in attendance. Kevin Knauth, District Ranger for the Bonners Ferry Ranger District, along with two geologists out of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests' Coeur d'Alene office, Josh Sadler and Kevin Knesek, presented information on details of the project, which took approximately 10 minutes. Then, for the next hour and a half, they took and answered questions, and heard comments and opinion from those in attendance. The Forest Service team first outlined how the operation will work at Hall Mountain. Drilling will be around the clock, with two 12-hour shifts. Drilling will occur on or near existing Forest Service roads. Water required for the project will be withdrawn from sites permitted by the Idaho Department of Water Resources. All fluids used in the drilling process will be in a closed system, and will not be flushed out or left at the site. Agreements are in place to mitigate the effects of the drilling project's noise and light on grizzly bears in the area. Equipment at the drilling site will include a hydraulic core drill, a water supply truck, a generator, welder, air compressor, and a jump truck for fuel. A pickup truck, ATV, and low boy and tractor will also be at the site. Drilling depths should run between 900-2,000 feet.  According to the Forest Service presentation, all drill holes, each about three inches diameter at ground surface level, will be plugged when the test drilling is complete in about three weeks. The mood of the crowd could be described as respectful, but concerned. Although there were a variety of questions and comments over the hour and a half following the Forest Service's brief presentation, most of the remarks by those in attendance centered on two areas: effects of the drilling on water in the area, including ground water and the household water of those who live in the area. The second major point of concern was the perceived lack of public notification and public input on this project, many people pointing out that they had only just heard about this, even though the project could have potential impact on many people in the area and for our county in general. Regarding making the public more aware of this particular drilling project, Mr. Knauth stated that the Forest Service "followed the process we were required to follow," but that even though legal guidelines for notification of the public were met, that notification was likely minimal given the now apparent interest in this project and its overall effects. "Clearly," said Mr. Knauth, "this one necessitated more attention than we gave it initially." The Forest Service staff in attendance made available to all present copies of maps of the area on Hall Mountain where the drilling is set to take place, They promised to provide more information to local residents regarding this or future similar projects, and passed around a sheet for all in attendance to record their mailing addresses, promising that future mining or minerals projects up for consideration in Boundary County will have details mailed to all those who were interested and who provided their mailing addresses.