Local News

Minerals Exploration Proposed For Flagg Mountain

Apr 21, 2014

Methow Valley Ranger District is seeking comments on a proposal to conduct minerals exploration in the Flagg Mountain area, north of Mazama, Washington.

In response to a proposal by Discovery Consultants, the Forest Service will analyze mitigation to minimize environmental effects of activities associated with minerals exploration, including road use, opening and closing temporary roads and drill pad construction.

Up to 15 drill sites are proposed in the Flagg Mt. area of the Methow Valley Ranger District. The operation would include both a day and night shift. Holes would be drilled up to a maximum depth of 1900 feet using a drill mounted on skids. The drill would be transported to and from the area on a low bed trailer towed by a truck, and skidded between drill sites with a dozer.

To minimize ground disturbance, drill sites would be located within existing road prisms and existing temporary roads would be utilized to access nine of the sites. Several of these roads are currently blocked or overgrown and would be opened to access drill sites. Once drilling was complete, the temporary roads would be closed or decommissioned. The remaining proposed drill sites would be accessed by a road that is currently blocked. It would be opened for the drilling then restored to its current condition after drilling is completed.

Water for the proposed drill operation would be trucked in from an off Forest source to fill a portable water tank. The water truck and tool trailer would be parked above the west entrance to FS Road 5225-040.

A sump would be constructed next to each drill site and a portable spill containment system would be placed under the drill rig. The entire length of each drill hole would be plugged in accordance with Washington State standards for well closure and the casing would be removed from the top of the hole prior to closing.

The Forest Service intends to complete the analysis this summer, and drilling would begin in August 2014.

Exploration and development of mineral resources on federally-administered land is recognized in the General Mining Law of 1872, as amended and under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA).

Written comments on the proposal should be sent directly to District Ranger Michael Liu, at 24 West Chewuch Road, Winthrop WA 98862 or electronically to: comments-pacificnorthwest-okanogan-methowvalley@fs.fed.us. Comments would be most helpful if received by May 17, 2014. Please note that comments received in response to this request, including names and addresses, will be considered part of the project record and may be released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Questions or requests for additional information about the project should be directed to Laurie Dowie, Special Uses and Minerals Coordinator, at 509 996 4071 or ldowie@fs.fed.us.