A mine and reclamation plan for the proposed Husky 1 North Dry Ridge Phosphate Mine near Soda Springs, Idaho, has been approved by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management Idaho Falls District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
The Bureau of Land Management Idaho Falls District and Caribou-Targhee National Forest each released a record of decision approving the mine and reclamation plan, a news release said.
“These approvals seek a balance between resource extraction and conservation while supporting high-paying jobs in the local community,” Acting Bureau of Land Management Idaho Falls District Manager Todd Kuck said in the release. “Phosphate mining is critical to American food production and security, and this mine will be a boon to the region’s economy, providing local tax revenues and job opportunities. We are pleased to work with our partners at the Forest Service to see this project approved.”
The record of decisions “will result in the least impact to surface water and groundwater among the action alternatives considered,” the release said. The plan approvals will maintain approximately 239 mining jobs for some 15 years.
A split management of the land and minerals of the proposed mine meant that the records of decision were approved for portions of the mine under the Bureau of Land Management’s and National Forest System’s respective jurisdiction. Land Management manages the minerals and the National Forest System manages the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, the release said.
“The BLM decision approves the on-lease portions of the Mine and Reclamation Plan, as modified by the selected alternative, and recommends approval of the proposed enlargement of the lease by 559 acres,” the release said. “The USDA Forest Service decision selects an alternative that best provides for public access, and approves a slurry pipeline corridor relocation as well as special use authorizations for off-lease mine facilities.”
Husky 1 - North Dry Ridge Mine documents are available online.
“The decisions minimize impacts to the environment, support the regional economy and provide an important resource that contributes to food security for the American people,” Caribou-Targhee National Forest Supervisor Mel Bolling said in the release.
