Hope everybody has been getting out into wild country this summer! We have some important news to share with you as we head into August.
A federal judge has ruled that the Forest Service wrongfully approved American Independence Mines and Mineral plan to use bulldozers, drilling rigs and dump trucks in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. The proposed mining site is located in the headwaters of Big Creek, a tributary to the Middle Fork Salmon River. The “mining exploration” would have permitted close to 600 truck loads in-out of the wilderness over a three year period. Congratulations to Roger Flynn of the Western Mining Action Project and Brian Hurlbutt of Advocates for the West for representing plaintiffs, including FOC. Read the news release.
Mark your calendars for a series of performances in Latah County by musician Rifka Helton and her multi-media project, My Father’s Idaho. Set to original music, the program features historical photos and film of the Clearwater Basin in the 1950’s – 60’s. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided. Thank you to the Latah County Community Foundation for providing a generous grant. Click here for the August dates.
Join the Palouse Environmental Sustainability Coalition, Friends of the Clearwater and others on Monday September 12 for a screening of the award-winning documentary, Return of the River. The film, “tells the story of a remarkable campaign to set a river free, culminating in the largest dam removal in history.” The screening will take place at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre on 508 S. Main Street in downtown Moscow. Film length is 70-minutes. Admission is free. Doors open at 6:00pm. Learn more here.
The 2nd Annual Free the Snake Flotilla & River Recreation Day is set to take place on Saturday September 17 at Swallows Park in Clarkston, WA. This peaceful, family-friendly event aims to draw continued attention for the need to remove the wasteful four lower Snake River dams. After having fun on the water, everyone is invited to join us at Chief Timothy Park in Clarkston, WA for an evening of food, drink, guest speakers, live music and camping. Please visit the website for information.
For wild places and wild things,
Brett Haverstick
Education & Outreach Director