US Forest Service will allow exploratory drilling for gold near Spearfish Canyon this summer [Video]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The US Forest Service concluded Monday that exploratory drilling for gold just above the western rim of Spearfish Canyon ‘will not significantly impact the human environment.’ The Gold Crest Exploration Drilling project, organized by Colorado-based mining company Solitario Resources, is set to begin in early June. Though this project will not involve mining in the immediate future, only searching for gold, it has drawn criticism from environmental activism groups.

One of those groups is the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, whose members have expressed concerns regarding the potential for groundwater contamination as a result of drilling. They fear dangerous chemicals may be introduced to underground streams, which could flow into lakes, rivers, and aquifers. Black Hills Clean Water Alliance Executive Director Lilias Jarding says a contamination could potentially lead to widespread issues.

”The Black Hills are the headwaters for both groundwater and surface water for …