Public invited to comment on Silver Hammer exploration drilling

The U.S. Forest Service Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District will accept comments on a proposed scoping plan until Aug. 22.

The Silver Strand Exploration Drilling Project Plan of Operations On National Forest System lands within the Panhandle Forests would allow the Silver Hammer Mining Corp. to explore resources on federal lands as recognized in the General Mining Law of 1872.

Silver Hammer plans to conduct exploration drilling from four pads with two holes at each pad.

Each drill site would be on or directly adjacent to an existing roadbed.

The Silver Strand exploration project area is in the Boise Meridian, accessible from Fernan Saddle along the Lost Mines Road (FS-612) to Five Fingers Saddle.

No new roads will be constructed, but some trees may be removed and brushed along the access route. The total surface disturbance associated with the project would be about 0.22 acres.

The drill would operate 24/7 in two 12-hour shifts.

Silver Hammer's water usage during drilling is expected to average 2,000 gallons per day.

Emailed comments must be submitted with the project name in the subject line to niranjan.walters@usda.gov or can be submitted on the project website.

Written comments can be hand delivered or mailed to the U.S. Forest Service Fernan Office, 2502 E. Sherman Avenue, Coeur d’Alene between 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A map and more information about this proposal are available at the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ website, www.fs.usda.gov.