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Minerals and Geology
Geologic Overview
The Kootenai National Forest is underlain by the Belt Supergroup. Rock in these formations is over 800 million years old, and was created when sedimentary layers deposited by a large inland sea lithified, or hardened, into rock. Exposures of the Prichard formation of the Belt Supergroup are found throughout the KNF. Stone from this formation, composed primarily of metamorphosed silts and muds, is sought after for use as building and landscaping stone. The Montanore ore body is located in the Revett formation of the Belt Supergroup.
Mining Projects
Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
The Kootenai National Forest has released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Montanore Evaluation Project.
The Notice of Availability has been published in the Federal Register on June 21, 2019, beginning a 45-day comment period. Comments may be submitted in writing or electronically. Written comments can be hand delivered or mailed to the Forest Supervisor’s office at 31374 US Highway 2, Libby, Montana 59923. Electronic comments may be emailed to SM.FS.r1monteval@usda.gov.
A public meeting on the project is scheduled for July 23, 2019 from 6 to 8:00 pm at the Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Libby, Montana.
View the News Release for more information.
- News Release - 6/21/2019
- Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement - pdf - 6/21/2019
Federal Register Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental EIS
The Federal Register has published a Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the evaluation phase of the Montanore project.
- Federal Register Notice - 12/28/2017
- Kootenai National Forest Montanore Project Record of Decision Cover Letter - 2/12/16 (pdf)
- Kootenai National Forest Montanore Project Record of Decision - 2/12/16 (pdf)
Montanore Project Joint Final Environmental Impact Statement - December 2015
- Federal Register Notice of Availability - 12/18/15 (pdf)
- Cover Letter (pdf)
- Volume 1 - Summary through Section 3.6 of Chapter 3 (pdf)
- Volume 2 - Sections 3.7 through 3.24 of Chapter 3 (contains the missing page, page 944) - (pdf)
- Correction Note: Volume 2 of the Joint Final EIS was missing page 944 on the CD version and the electronic download version available on the agencies’ websites prior to January 4, 2016. The missing page included sections 3.20.4.3.2-3 and 3.20.4.4 and primarily discussed the cumulative effects of the Montanore Project on Sound, Electrical and Magnetic Fields, Radio and TV. This missing page can be downloaded here or from the corrected Volume 2 document link above this note. If you requested a hard copy it will be sent to you within approximately two weeks. The hard copy version includes a complete Volume 2. You can also request a new CD from one of the Project Coordinators, Lynn Hagarty, KNF, 31374 US 2, Libby, MT 59923-3022, 406-293-6211, or Craig Jones, DEQ, 1520 East Sixth Avenue, Helena, MT 59620-0901, 406-444-0514.
- Correction Note: Volume 2 of the Joint Final EIS was missing page 944 on the CD version and the electronic download version available on the agencies’ websites prior to January 4, 2016. The missing page included sections 3.20.4.3.2-3 and 3.20.4.4 and primarily discussed the cumulative effects of the Montanore Project on Sound, Electrical and Magnetic Fields, Radio and TV. This missing page can be downloaded here or from the corrected Volume 2 document link above this note. If you requested a hard copy it will be sent to you within approximately two weeks. The hard copy version includes a complete Volume 2. You can also request a new CD from one of the Project Coordinators, Lynn Hagarty, KNF, 31374 US 2, Libby, MT 59923-3022, 406-293-6211, or Craig Jones, DEQ, 1520 East Sixth Avenue, Helena, MT 59620-0901, 406-444-0514.
- Volume 3 - Section 3.25 of Chapter 3 through Chapter 8 - (pdf)
- Volume 4 - Figures and Appendices A through L - (pdf)
- Volume 5 - Appendix M Response to Comments - (pdf)
Supporting Documents
Kootenai NF Final Environmental Impact Statement for Objection Process - March 2015
- Resolution Meeting Information - (pdf)
- KNF Final EIS Legal Notice - (pdf)
- Draft Record of Decision (ROD) (pdf)
- KNF Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
- Cover Letter - (pdf)
- Errata - (pdf)
- Volume I & II - (pdf)
- Volume III - (pdf)
- Appendices A-M
Objections
The following documents are in pdf format.
- 15-01-00-0023 Drucker
- 15-01-00-0031 Davies
- 15-01-00-0043 Cleveland
- 15-01-00-0047 Earthworks et al
- 15-01-00-0048 Mosley
- 15-01-00-0049 MWA
- 15-01-00-0050 AWR
- 15-01-00-0051 L.C.Commissioners
- 15-01-00-0052 SnoKat Club
- 15-01-00-0053 RVM
- 15-01-00-0055 Avista
- 15-01-00-0056 Wall
Response to Objections
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Troy Mine Revised Reclamation Plan describes the land, people, and resources potentially affected by the proposed revised reclamation activities. The purpose of the proposed revision is to return lands disturbed by mining to a condition appropriate for subsequent use of the area.
- View/Download the Final Environmental Impact Statement - 6/21/2012 - (pdf - 29mb)
-
Record of Decision for Troy Mine Revised Reclamation Plan - (pdf)