Kinnikinnick Chapter Of The Idaho Native Plant Society

April 23, 2005

Sandpoint Ranger District
1500 Highway 2, Suite 110
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Via email: jnieman@fs.fed.us
Attn: Jim Nieman

 Re: Silver Button Exploration Project

We were pleased to learn that no new roads are planned for this project. Our concerns about any project include the opportunity for noxious weeds to invade a site. This a particular concern in an area as pristine as the Scotchman Peaks area.

Alpine areas are botanically fragile. They can have unusual lichens and specialized plants for which survival is tenuous and dependent on a successful summer season. The impact area, botanically, will include that of any water runoff from drilling. We would like to see the botanical report for this project. If sensitive species are found in the area, the long term impact of a new foot trail to the area should be studied.

How will the new trail to the work site be constructed?  What will the width be? Who will oversee the work? If the work site includes helicopter landing facilities, it will be fairly substantial. Ordinarily this would be of minimal concern but at 5,600 ft elevation, it is in fragile alpine territory.

This is an area we may target for a visit, in addition to wanting to read the botanic evaluation. Thank you for allowing us to comment.

Sincerely,

Molly O'Reilly

President