Craters of the Moon Administrative History

Chapter 6:
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Resource Management At Craters Of The Moon:
EXTERNAL THREATS: SOME PAST AND PRESENT CONCERNS: EXTERNAL MINING THREATS

Whereas the monument can control internal impacts from mining with the resolution of private claims, it faces a more difficult task with mining activities occurring outside its boundaries and their potential impact on the monument's resources. External threats from mining elevated in 1986, when mineral claims filed by large mining corporations in southcentral Idaho increased, numbering in the thousands. Several of these were filed, Superintendent Robert Scott reported, "directly adjacent, as close as 100 feet, from the monument boundary." [283]

Near the northwestern corner of the monument, the Silver Bell Mine was located some five hundred feet from the border, and has seen exploratory and preparatory activity two times since 1986. Of great concern more than five miles northeast of the monument is the Idaho Gold Corporation gold and silver mining and heap leaching operation at the Champagne Creek Mine, because of the toxic chemicals used in the leaching process. In addition, exploratory drilling has taken place twice within the last five years in the Big Cottonwood Creek Canyon west of the northern boundary. The most recent test site approached within three quarters of a mile from the boundary. In 1989, NPS Mining and Research Branch geologists inspected the mining activity in the monument's vicinity and concluded that the issue was long-term. "With the increasing interest in disseminated, low-grade gold deposits amenable to leaching, it is likely that there will be continuing and probably increasing exploration and mining activity in the Pioneer Mountains." [284] Sending this message home, a recent survey revealed that within a mile of the monument's northern border there were 184 lode claims and four mill site claims, and within two miles, 284 total claims. [285]

Mining, overall, presents a continual problem for monument managers, but one that as yet has not caused any severe impacts. [286] Resource management objectives continue to focus on revegetating the abandoned Martin Mine site, and, more importantly, perhaps, to focus on maintaining good relationships with the BLM, and to monitor mining activities as they occur and affect the monument. Modern mining operations present a complexity of potential problems (erosion, air pollution, vegetation and wildlife disruption, and traffic) should all of the current activity evolve into genuine mining operations. Even though the monument has secured ownership of all lands within its borders, this does not ensure proper protection of the area should mining occur just outside its boundary. Fluctuations in the international silver market rather than the integrity of the monument's resources and their preservation seem to govern the future of this issue. [287]