The US Forest Service is taking public comments on a proposed exploratory mining operation near the headwaters of Hot Creek in the Eastern Sierra that could lead to harmful open pit mining near this fishery. We need your help to stop it.
This project is problematic and disastrous in many ways:
We need you to submit a public comment opposing this mining operation to Colleen Garcia with the US Forest Service. Deadline for public comment is May 7th May 13th (The USFS extended the deadline until May 13th). The link to submit comments and a sample letter are below.
We encourage you to demand an Environmental Impact Statement be conducted and share your personal comments and stories about why you wish to protect Hot Creek. Specifics are not necessary, any comment helps. Please share this action with your network. For more information visit our webpage.
CalTrout submitted the comment letter below on May 5, 2021.
Long Valley KORE Mining LetterDear Colleen Garcia,
I strongly oppose the Long Valley Exploration Drilling Project proposed by Kore USA Ltd. (Kore Mining). The proposed mining project threatens the future of the scenic, economically and ecologically important Long Valley area in Mono County.
I am particularly concerned about the proposed project’s proximity to Hot Creek, one of the region’s iconic fisheries. Though this project is only exploratory for now, as a CalTrout supporter, I am all too aware of the grave impacts mining can have on fish and freshwater ecosystems. Mining operations can lead to sulfuric acid and heavy metal contamination when rainwater or surface drainage carries contaminants to nearby streams, rivers, lakes, and groundwater harming species who rely on these water sources. Not only is this proposed project just above Hot Creek, but the water from Hot Creek eventually flows into Owens River and Crowley Lake, putting this entire ecosystem at risk.
Right now, the need to restore ecosystems rather than degrade them is urgent. California is entering into another extreme drought, another extreme fire season, and is aiming to protect 30% of our lands by 2030. As such, it is completely inappropriate to approve projects like this that will only cause further risk to our natural resources. Therefore, I strongly oppose even the first exploratory step of this effort to ultimately mine for gold. At a minimum, a full EIS should be conducted in order to properly assess the full impacts and allow for meaningful public engagement.
Sincerely,
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Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.
11 Comments
USDA letter says May 6 as the deadline. Was wondering if that changed?
Hi there, the comment form says May 7th. Regardless, it’s best to send in comments as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!
Dear Colleen Garcia,
I too strongly oppose the Long Valley Exploration Drilling Project proposed by Kore USA Ltd. (Kore Mining). The proposed mining project threatens the future of the scenic, economically and ecologically important Long Valley area in Mono County.
I am particularly concerned about the proposed project’s proximity to Hot Creek, one of the region’s iconic fisheries. Though this project is only exploratory for now, as a CalTrout supporter, I am all too aware of the grave impacts mining can have on fish and freshwater ecosystems. Mining operations can lead to sulfuric acid and heavy metal contamination when rainwater or surface drainage carries contaminants to nearby streams, rivers, lakes, and groundwater harming species who rely on these water sources. Not only is this proposed project just above Hot Creek, but the water from Hot Creek eventually flows into Owens River and Crowley Lake, putting this entire ecosystem at risk.
Right now, the need to restore ecosystems rather than degrade them is urgent. California is entering into another extreme drought, another extreme fire season, and is aiming to protect 30% of our lands by 2030. As such, it is completely inappropriate to approve projects like this that will only cause further risk to our natural resources. Therefore, I strongly oppose even the first exploratory step of this effort to ultimately mine for gold. At a minimum, a full EIS should be conducted in order to properly assess the full impacts and allow for meaningful public engagement.
Sincerely, Ann Landt
Thanks for your support Ann! Please be sure to submit this letter to the US Forest service using this link: https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public//CommentInput?Project=59294
I’ll be putting this up on the Oregon Fly Fishing Blog if that’s ok??
Yes! Please share far and wide. We need all the help we can get to stop the mine. Thanks for your support!
Done!!
Oregonflyfishingblog.com
I have been fishing working and relaxing in the Mammoth Valley for about 71 years. This sensitive area of California for fishing and outdoor use has no comparison any where else in the US. We cannot take a chance that mining will not harm the delicate area around Hot Creek and the Owens river area.
Gene Callan
81 years of age
Protect the land for our children and their children etc. This area is not replaceable
Hot Creek is a treasure that should not be put at risk. It is a small body of water that would be very susceptible to this mining project.
I oppose any mining in the Hot Creek area.
I do not understand why the United States would allow a foreign company, Canadian, to open pit mine non-strategic minerals such as silver and gold in an area that is heavily used for outdoor recreation, and this activity will definitely harm the environment.
If the price of gold retreats to $800 US the mine becomes unprofitable and typically bankruptcy occurs and the local folks are left holding the bag for the environmental cleanup. Of course this can be mitigated by Kore depositing the $75 million US for reclamation in a non-revocable trust account before ground is broken.
The technical report was excellent but did not address the sulfuric acid used to dissolve the zinc from the precipitate and pond freeboard of 1 ft. minimum is inadequate for wind driven waves in Long Valley. In addition, there is no problem with retorting and Mercury recovery, but no discussion of the impurities that are smelted off.
I definitely do not support this activity
Hot Creek has been An Iconic fishery for many years, to let a company destroy that is not replaceable. Please stop the Mine Project. I do not support this activity.