Miners ready their protest of EPA

Jun 29 - Lewiston Morning Tribune (ID)

Small-scale miners say their planned protest of Environmental Protection Agency regulations at Riggins this week will be peaceful, but will also include the running of suction dredges in defiance of the federal agency.

"This is a peaceful protest. We are not going up there for a war. We are going there to do our work and show everybody what we do and that it's not harmful," said John Crossman of the Southwest Idaho Mining Association .

Last year, the EPA required dredge miners to obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit to operate in Idaho waters. But the permit does not allow dredging in streams and rivers where threatened and endangered fish are present -- effectively banning the practice in vast areas of the Salmon and Clearwater river basins.

The miners, who plan to camp at Island Bar and Short's Bar campgrounds along the Salmon River starting Monday, will hold a rally Friday at Riggins City Park . They contend the permit is an overreach by the agency and that dredging doesn't pollute the water or harm fish.

"Our whole goal is to bring more money to the community and show what we do is not detrimental to the environment," Crossman said. "It's important for people to see this and we are not the villains that people make us out to be."

The EPA would not say if or how it would respond if the protest includes dredging in closed waters. Agency spokesman Mark MacIntyre at Seattle provided the Tribune with a three-paragraph statement that he asked be attributed to the EPA in general and not to a specific official. It indicates the agency respects the rights of citizens to "peaceably protest" but that the area is closed to dredge mining to protect fish listed under the Endangered Species Act.

"Dredging in this area could damage this important fish habitat and would be a violation of the EPA's permit," according to the statement.

Idaho County Commissioner Jim Chmelik , who has worked with organizers of the event, doesn't expect the EPA to be there and said he advised the agency to stay away.

"It's a great American tradition and let's just let it take place," he said. "They are not happy with what their government is doing, and I don't see anything wrong with it. This is America."

The protest is also attracting people who have other beefs with the government. Crossman said a Tea Party group opposed to the National Defense Act will be there, as will the Oath Keepers, a nonpartisan group of former military, police and first responders who pledge to fulfill their oath to defend the Constitution.

"All of us are just fed up with the overregulation and overextension of the government," Crossman said.

He said there has been some social media chatter that people opposed to dredge mining might also show up in a counter protest, raising the prospects of a confrontation. Jonathan Oppenheimer of the Idaho Conservation League said his group doesn't plan to be there and supports the right of people to protest. But he said protesting shouldn't include dredging.

" The Salmon River is a priceless asset for the people of Idaho and all Americans," he said. "We have a right to enjoy the Salmon River but no one has the right to abuse it."

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe of southeastern Idaho plans to send a member of its governing commission and a staffer from its natural resources division "to simply observe and be there in case a tribal voice is needed," said Randy'L Teton, public affairs manager for the tribe.

Anthony Johnson , vice-chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, said the tribe is aware of the protest and is "monitoring the situation."

A spokeswoman from the Bureau of Land Management said the agency will have a presence in the area that will include law enforcement. But she said the presence will be no larger than it would be for any other busy summer week.

"This isn't something we are going to focus on as far as law enforcement and regulations. What we know from them, they are just going to get together and exercise their First Amendment rights," said Jessica Gardetto .

She said the Riggins area will be extra busy during the protest as it will be combined with the normal crush of people looking to camp, raft and fish in the area.

"It's a popular time for recreation in general, and the two campgrounds they plan to use are typically at capacity this time of year, so there is going to be a lot of people out there."

Idaho County Sheriff Doug Giddings has also worked with organizers of the event and noted they have planned to have extra toilets and trash patrols. He supports the protest and said he doesn't expect problems.

"We will have a few guys there but nothing really above normal," he said.

Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273. Follow him on Twitter @ezebarker.

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