Idaho's Black Pine Gold Mine Plan Sparks Forest Comments
Published Date: 4/3/2026
Notice
Summary
The Forest Service is starting a 30-day public comment period for the Black Pine Gold Project, a plan to mine gold and silver in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest and nearby lands. This project affects local communities, the environment, and federal land rules, with a full review expected by 2028. Your feedback can help shape how mining happens and protect the area’s future.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 7 costs, 0 mixed.
Risk to Groundwater Quantity and Quality
The proposed Black Pine Gold Project may cause hydrologic effects, including changes to groundwater quality and quantity near the project area. The Forest Service will evaluate these potential groundwater impacts in the EIS for the mining and processing proposal submitted February 27, 2025.
Impacts to Tribal Cultural and Historic Sites
The agencies identified that mining operations may impact cultural sites and historic properties that are important to Tribal Nations. The EIS will evaluate potential effects on those cultural and historic resources.
Potential Harm to Wildlife Habitat
Construction and operation of the mine could affect wildlife species and habitats, including impacts to Greater sage grouse. Wildlife impacts are listed as a substantive issue the EIS will evaluate.
Scenic Quality and Forest Plan Amendment
The proposed action would impair the scenic environment and is expected to be inconsistent with the Sawtooth Forest Plan's Visual Quality Objectives, requiring a project-specific plan amendment. The Planning Rule provisions cited include effects on "aesthetic value," "scenery," and "viewsheds."
Alteration of Grazing Allotments Overlapping Mine
Construction and operation of the mine may alter grazing allotments that overlap the proposed mine area, affecting grazing use on those public lands. The EIS will evaluate how grazing allotments could be changed by the project.
Local Air Quality and Topsoil Availability Risks
The agencies identified potential for the mining operation to impact local air quality and the availability of suitable topsoils needed for final reclamation objectives. The EIS will assess air emissions and topsoil impacts from construction and operations.
Long Mine Life and Extended Reclamation Timeline
The project description estimates a mine life of 17 years, followed by approximately 25 years of closure, drain-down of the heap leach facility, reclamation, and environmental monitoring and maintenance. Those timelines will be evaluated in the EIS.
FAST-41 Coverage and Permitting Timetable Transparency
The Black Pine Gold Project is a "covered project" under section 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41), which requires publication of comprehensive permitting timetables and provides procedures to modify those timetables. A FAST-41 permitting dashboard is available for this project.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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