Help Stop Dredge Mining on the Arkansas River (CO)!

The San Isabel National Forest, Leadville Ranger District is seeking public comment on a proposal from a mining claim owner to implement mining activities on the Arkansas River Near the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Number's river access site. The scoping process fails to consider how these mining operations would impact water quality of a Gold Medal fishery and one of the state's premier paddling destinations.

We need your voice now to ask the Forest Service to reject the mining plan at the Numbers put-in!

The public was notified on March 10th and provided a two page scoping letter and small scale map indicating the location of the proposed mining operation with a star. With comments due by April 6th (this has been extended to April 25th) we were not given the required 30 days to comment. Additionally, the scoping letter is very light on details and directs interested parties to contact the Leadville Ranger District by phone or mail to get more details about the proposed mining activity. Amidst a national emergency and statewide stay-at-home orders, the Forest Service thanks in part to our communities advocacy, extended this public period to accommodate the extenuating circumstances surrounding the pandemic. The proper process was not followed the first time however and and we feel should it should still be completely reset during a time more appropriate in light of current conditions.

The size of the mining claims are much larger than the described footprint in the Mine Plan of Operations. It is likely, if they successfully find gold, the mining would expand and create an even greater impact on the Arkansas River.

Boating on the Numbers is a staple for most paddlers in Colorado. It is fun at very low to very high flows and provides an incredible opportunity to step-up your game or tune-up your proven skills. We need your help to ensure those opportunities are protected from dredge mining!

If you have an extra moment please add a personal story on boating the Numbers/Arkansas; what it means to you and how a dredge mine on the banks would degrade the experience. Thank you!

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I am writing to you to express my concerns with the Oro Vista Mining proposal and scoping documents released by the Forest Service on March 10, 2020. 
 
The Arkansas River is Colorado’s premier paddling destination. Residents and visitors alike congregate on the river’s many whitewater sections to enjoy the high-quality rapids, stunning vistas, and wild nature. Development of mining activities along the banks near a popular river access point would impair paddling on the popular Numbers section and impact a robust outdoor recreation economy. I am requesting that the USFS acknowledge and assess the impacts this project will have on paddling, water quality, suitable wild and scenic rivers, fishing, and scenery on the Arkansas River. 
 
This project could impact four segments of the Arkansas that have been found suitable for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic rivers system. It is the charge of the Forest Service (USFS) to protect these sections of river and not approve any action that would promote the demise of any identified outstandingly remarkable value. Additionally, Browns Canyon National Monument is not far downstream from the proposed project and is a "congressionally protected" area. Categorical exclusions should not show any negative impacts to that resource either. 
 
The Forest Service appears to have omitted this project on their Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA), in violation of 36 CFR § 220.4(d).  While preliminary analysis identifies a categorical exclusion for a project of this scope, “scoping is required for all Forest Service proposed actions, including those that would appear to be categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation in an EA or an EIS” (36 CFR § 220.6). It is the public’s lawful right to have adequate time and information at this stage of the planning process. We are requesting that this scoping documentation be added to the public register and subsequently reset the comment period timeline to provide lawful public review of the process.
 
Additionally, the Forest Service only offered the project’s Mining Plan of Operations via a phone call or visiting the Leadville Ranger District. The Plan was only made available online March 25, 2020; clearly not enough time for adequate review and comment. It is impossible for reviewers to provide substantive comments on the proposed action from the few paragraphs included in the scoping letter. In light of a national emergency and statewide direction to stay at home during the COVID-19 crisis, it seems only reasonable to reset the comment period on the Oro Vista Mine during a time that is more conducive to a legitimate public process. 
 
The statutory requirement for scoping is 30 calendar days from public notice in the newspaper of record. This notice was made on March 10, 2020, making the proper deadline April 9.The original comment deadline period, April 6th, does not provide an adequate review timeline.

The Forest Service needs to add the proposed action to SOPA and include a link to the Mining Plan of Operation. The 30-day review period should begin once all information is made available via SOPA and public notice is provided in the newspaper of record. The Forest Service must consider the current Governor declared “state of emergency” and stay at home orders due to COVID-19. It is impossible to hold a public process in this environment and we request a delay in this scoping process until after the pandemic recedes.

Sincerely, [Your information here]