Environmental group opposes N. Idaho gravel mine

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — An environmental group wants the state to deny a mineral lease and a stream-channel alteration permit that would allow a northern Idaho company to mine gravel in the Salmon River.

The Idaho Conservation League is asking its members and others to submit public comments opposing a new permit to replace the five-year permit that expires next month. The lease was first issued in 1955.

Jonathan Oppenheimer, a senior conservation associate, said the environmental group isn't opposed to gravel mines but doesn't think the Salmon River is an appropriate place because it could harm salmon and steelhead habitat.

"The question is, are there more appropriate places to mine for gravel and secure this type of material in Idaho?" he told The Lewiston Tribune (http://bit.ly/wPOC0Y). "We feel strongly there are hundreds, if not thousands, of better places to remove gravel than the bed of the Salmon River."

The lease and permit allow the Kaschmitter Enterprises Inc. to take gravel from dry areas of the river bed below the ordinary high water mark. The Grangeville company generally does that in the fall or winter when water levels are low. Spring runoff deposits new gravel on the site.

"They don't go below the water at any time," said Jay Sila, manager of the Craig Mountain Supervisory Area of the Idaho Department of Lands at Craigmont. "They are not in the water."

Kaschmitter is owned by Tim Kaschmitter, who declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press.

Besides salmon and steelhead, the river is also used by river runners. Gary Lane, a river rafting outfitter from Riggins and a member of the conservation league, said the gravel mine detracts from the experience for people floating the river.

"They don't drive hundreds of miles to listen to equipment and see the scars left over from what we do to the land," he said.

The public comment period expires Monday evening.

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Information from: Lewiston Tribune, http://www.lmtribune.com