Two species native to the Methow Valley — western gray squirrels and northern spotted owls — will retain threatened and endangered status, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission (WDFW) has decided.
spotted owls
Decision on exploratory copper drilling expected in July
A decision on whether to permit exploratory drilling for copper near Mazama is expected by mid-July, according to U.S. Forest Service officials conducting an environmental analysis of the proposal.
The proposed drilling project has been studied by the Forest Service for more than a year, …
Spotted owl status up for evaluation by U.S. Fish and Wildlife
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is beginning an evaluation of the status of the northern spotted owl, in response to a petition to change the status of the owl from threatened to endangered. The review is as required …
Fires delay Flagg Mountain copper explorations proposal
By Ann McCreary
A decision on whether to permit exploratory drilling for copper in Mazama has been delayed by wildfires and floods that have consumed the attention and resources of Methow Valley Ranger District officials.
Ranger Michael Liu said in late June that he was waiting for the result of a groundwater analysis to determine whether additional studies would be necessary to move ahead on a request to drill exploratory holes on Forest Service land near Flagg Mountain.
USFS sets meeting to discuss Flagg Mountain drilling proposal
The U.S. Forest Service will host a meeting on Monday (May 19) at the Winthrop Barn to provide information about a proposed minerals exploration project on Flagg Mountain. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Methow Valley District Ranger Michael Liu said the meeting will not be a public hearing but rather an opportunity for the […]
Drilling concerns aired
By Ann McCreary
Community members and representatives of environmental groups met Monday (April 28) with U.S. Forest Service officials to discuss concerns about exploratory drilling for copper proposed to take place as early as August near Flagg Mountain in Mazama. Concerns included potential impacts on wildlife and water, noise levels that might …
B.C. company to explore Mazama-area copper mining
By Ann McCreary
A Canadian mining company is proposing to conduct exploratory drilling in a search for copper on Flagg Mountain near Mazama, with the intention of beginning in August. The company is proposing to drill 15 holes to depths of up to 1,900 feet on U.S. Forest Service land in an operation that would include day and night shifts. The project goal is to determine if there are sufficient copper resources to warrant future mining.
