Troy Mine EIS in the works
by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio
April 21, 2011
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Kootenai National Forest (KNF), in conjunction with Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives to reclaim facilities, safely close the underground mine, and protect water quality at the Troy Mine by year's end.
The mine is located on public and private lands approximately 15 miles south of Troy. Genesis Incorporated (Genesis), a wholly owned subsidiary of Revett Silver Company, submitted the Troy Mine Revised Reclamation Plan (Revised Reclamation Plan or Proposed Action) on February 27, 2006, pursuant to U.S. Forest Service (USFS) locatable mineral regulations, and the State of Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act.
On December 30, 2010 Genesis Incorporated changed their name to Troy Mine, Incorporated.
A single EIS, evaluating all components of the proposed reclamation project will be prepared. The public involvement process for the Revised Reclamation Plan began with a press release published in area newspapers and announced on local radio stations on October 11, 2007. The comment period was extended from October 11, 2007 through December 28, 2007. The agencies completed an initial analysis in December 2010, three years later. Based on the analysis and potential water quality issues, the agencies decided to prepare a draft EIS. The draft EIS is expected to be available for review and public comment in May 2011. The comment period for the Draft EIS will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register. The final EIS is expected to be released in December 2011.
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Story by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com, e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net.
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