The proposal is to authorize placer mining activities for gold in the North Fork of Sheep Creek area of the North Fork Ranger District. Up to approximately 100 cubic yards of material would be processed over a five year period.
The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project, including commenters' names and contact information, will become part of the public record. Comments, including anonymous comments, will be accepted at any time. However, comments posted after the close of a designated comment period may not be able to be given full consideration. Anonymous comments and comments submitted after the close of the final designated comment period will not provide the commenter standing for administrative review. Comments, or in some cases other expressions of interest, along with respondent's contact information, submitted during the comment period may be necessary to establish a respondent's eligibility to participate in an administrative review for this proposed action. Interested members of the public should review the proposal's information to determine the applicable administrative review process and the eligibility requirements for that process.
The Salmon-Challis National Forest (Forest) is soliciting comments for the 2026 North Fork Sheep Creek Placer Project near North Fork, Idaho. Mr. Hoover (the Operator) proposes to placer for gold in the North Fork Sheep Creek area of the North Fork Ranger District, on National Forest System (NFS) lands open to mineral entry under the 1872 Mining Law, as amended. The mineral activity would consist of highbanking with a sluice using water pumped from the creek and a 4 x 8 trommel to sort material. Up to approximately 100 cubic yards of material would be processed per year over a five-year period. The sites would be accessed by system and non-system routes. No new road construction is proposed. Concurrent reclamation would take place and no more than 0.50 acres would be disturbed per year within the project area. Operations are expected to commence in summer 2026.
The decision to be made is whether to approve the project as proposed or with modifications. Preliminary analysis indicates this project will be analyzed and documented in an Environmental Assessment (EA).
For more information, see the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/salmon-challis/projects/68949.
Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Glenwood Brittain, Salmon-Challis Supervisor’s Office, 1206 S. Challis St., Salmon, ID 83467, glenwood.brittain@usda.gov.
How to Comment and Timeframe
Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object must meet the information requirements of 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. It is the responsibility of persons providing comments to submit them by the close of the comment period. Only those who submit timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project during a public comment period established by the responsible official are eligible to file an objection under §218.
Comments must be submitted the following ways and will be accepted for 30 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the newspaper of record, The Recorder Herald:
The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period for this project. Those wishing to comment should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the length of the comment period. For objection eligibility each individual or representative from each entity submitting timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request. Comments received in response to this request will be available for public inspection and will be released if requested pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.
Glenwood Brittain
