Boise residents and river enthusiasts are lucky; we get to enjoy one of the cleanest rivers around. The Boise River is clean because Boise is the first city in line below the mountains, where the headwaters of the river are formed. We are actually responsible for most of the pollution in the Boise River. However, if a Canadian mining company gets their way, pollution of the river will get much worse than sunken beer cans from past river float seasons… how does cyanide sound?
That’s right, cyanide – Atlanta Gold, the name of the Canadian mining company, has plans to build an open-pit cyanide heap-leach gold mine in THE HEADWATERS OF THE BOISE RIVER!
This mine threatens the health of all who habitat and enjoy the river. Our fish, wildlife, public health, safety and drinking water are all at risk! Leach mining has been banned in all but 1 other state besides Idaho because of the resulting detrimental effects on the environment.
It’s Time to Protect the Boise River
The Forest Service is holding the following public open house meetings on the proposed mine:
- May 24, 4-7 PM Mountain Home -? American Legion Hall, 515 East 2nd Street South
- May 25, 4-7 PM Idaho City -? Idaho City Ranger District, Highway 21, MP 38.5
- May 30, 4-8 PM Boise -? Doubletree Riverside Motel, 2900 Chinden Blvd., Garden City
- May 31, 3-6 PM Atlanta -? Atlanta School
Main Points
- Share what the Boise River means to you and your family
- Diesel fuel must not be stockpiled in the headwaters
- All open pits must be completely backfilled and capped
- Water must not be polluted or require perpetual treatment
What To Do
- Attend one of the open houses listed above.
- Send comments by June 9th to
Attn: Terry Harding
Boise National Forest Service
c/o PO Box 552
Boise, ID 83702 - If you only have a minute, go to www.wildidaho.org to send comments electronically.
- Volunteer to help on this campaign – send an email to rwiner@wildidaho.org
For more information, contact John Robison, jrobison@wildidaho.org or 208.345.6942 x 13.
This campaign is coordinated by Idaho Families for Clean Water, a coalition of groups, including Sierra Club, Idaho Rivers United, and Idaho Conservation League protecting Idaho’?s clean water.