Mono County facebook logo e1613120615249Mono County’s Board of Supervisors sent a comment letter to Kore Mining back on May 5 outlining its objections to the exploratory drilling operation in Long Valley. Kore issued a more complete draft plan the following day giving the County even more reasons to object to the proposal.

That second comment letter was reviewed and approved at Tuesday’s meeting. Here’s a list of those objections:

  • Future public participation and outreach concerns: The initial public comment period initially was slated to end May 6, but was extended by Kore to May 13. The County also requested more public engagement including a public meeting and public site visit, within COVID 19 guidelines.
  • Even with the more detailed Exploratory Plan of Operation, the County could find no rationale for the project’s categorical exclusion designation, requiring no environmental studies. The letter goes on to request “GIS (geographic information system) layers of the proposed disturbance for all temporary roads and staging areas.
  • The letter lists the Bi-State Sage Grouse and other sensitive species and the protections those species require. Example: the mining operation will be a 24-hour a day operation, playing havoc with the Sage Grouse’s nesting and brood rearing. In addition, Long Valley is home to the Round Valley/Casa Diablo deer herd.
  • Other details need to be provided including access roads, disturbance calculations, cultural resources and fencing.
  • The County will require a lighting detail with, at minimum, Dark Sky compliant lighting.
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Gold Bars

 

For a copy of the complete six-page letter from the County to Kore Mining, click on 05_may_18_2021_agenda_packet.pdf (ca.gov) and go to page 101 of the packet.

 

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