SMOKY CANYON EXPANSION

Work by the J. R. Simplot Co. to expand the Smoky Canyon Mine is set to begin immediately as a judge in Pocatello has denied a request for an injunction from the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and other conservation groups.

GYC and three other groups had requested the injunction to prevent mining while a lawsuit was heard on legal violations in the permitting process as well as scientific flaws in the proposed remediation plan for the new mine. The judge said in his ruling he did not believe the conservationists could prevail on the merits of the case.

Earthjustice, representing GYC in the case, has filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals asking the court to halt mine expansion until the case can be heard and reviewed on its merits. GYC and Earthjustice said their case is very strong despite the adverse ruling by the lower court.

Regardless of the final ruling on the Smoky Canyon Mine expansion, the fact remains that much work must still be done to increase awareness of the spreading selenium contamination and to increase on-the-ground action to deal with this environmental problem.

The Caribou Clean Water Partnership is more committed than ever to finding ways to bring diverse partners together in order to protect the clean water of the Caribou National Forest and surrounding lands. Our main goal has always been a focus on the clean up of the selenium contamination and assuring that the phosphate mining industry applies its resources into real clean up, better science, and more responsible mining practices.

CAMPAIGN CONTACT SURVEY

The Caribou Clean Water Partnership has sent out an email survey in an effort to hear from our members and keep track of those still following our campaign work. Thank you to many who have responded with feedback. In our effort to reach every member we are also following up with a postcard survey as well. Please respond to either the email or the postcard survey. Your response will help us as we move forward into a new year of working to fulfill our goal of clean water.

The Caribou Clean Water Partnership is wrapping up our second year as an organization of diverse people who are dedicated to helping protect the water and lands that are being impacted by phosphate mining in southeast Idaho.

This past year has seen much work towards our goals of increasing public awareness of selenium contamination and focusing additional attention on more effective clean up efforts.

This year we put up billboards in Pocatello and Star Valley, ran ads in regional newspapers, and published over 40 news stories in regional and national outlets. In February, the selenium issue was covered by the national PBS program ‘NOW.’ Our website has surpassed 18,000 visits mainly from local and regional viewers, with additional interest from national viewers, those in government offices, and many in the phosphate industry.

The Partnership was also highlighted at a forum at Saint Xavier University in Chicago with press and a keynote lecture on clean water. Honors students from the university traveled to Idaho during the summer to study the issue first hand.

The Partnership has grown this year to over 600 members. Many are local landowners, business owners, and concerned people. Others have joined the cause from around the country and even a few international members who also care about clean water in Caribou Country.

The Partnership also coordinated summer service projects on the Blackfoot River and Deer Creek. We cleared hiking trails and built fence at the Wildlife Management Area. We also spent time viewing wildlife, hiking, and testing water.

Our members’ actions also helped the phosphate industry decide to table a groundwater bill in the Idaho legislature in order to negotiate new groundwater rules in a public format. And our work to increase public involvement and awareness of the Smoky Canyon Mine expansion has lead to better mining practices and additional clean up work.

Together, we have worked hard for clean water. We thank each and every member and encourage all of you to stay involved.

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