Came across this notice from The Outdoor Voice and thought perhaps you may be interested in the info:
The forest service recently released a scoping letter that states an intention to open and operate a granite quarry at the base of the most popular crag. With less than a month left, it is important that all outdoorspeople, Montanans' and others write to ensure that the resource isn't lost for a generation. (At the very least.)
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ATTN: CLIMBERS! Help Stop the Forest Service Plan to start mining the quarry at Lost Horse! The Proposed Forest Service Plan Will: - Expand the quarry at Lost Horse - Operate the quarry every year for 10 years - Put in gates, restrict access - Destroy the adjacent cliffs and trails - Closures from Oct – April, every year for 10 yrs -Crawlers, Loaders, Dump trucks, primary crushing plant at Montana’s best climbing area. - Whats next? The Lost Horse Boulders? Forest Service public comment period ends July 9th, 2007! Write a letter to: District Ranger, Darby Ranger District P.O. Box 388, Darby, MT 59829. Tell them that this is Montana’s best multi-pitch climbing area. The quarry will destroy trails, access, no more all year climbing, negatively impact the wildlife of the area. Surely there are other areas to get gravel!
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Dear Interested Public: The Bitterroot National Forest is considering a proposal from Ravalli County Road and Bridge Department for the use of the Lost Horse Quarry on the Darby Ranger District, for a period of 10 years. The area from which they wish to remove rock and excavate material is an existing quarry in the W1/2 Sec.18, T4N, R21W, approximately 4.5 miles up Lost Horse Road and 1000 ft. north on Forest Road #62969. The quarry is in Management Area 3c as identified in the Bitterroot Forest Plan (pg. III-30). PROPOSED ACTION: It is proposed to issue a Mineral Materials Contract to Ravalli County Road and Bridge Department for the removal of 125,000 to 150,000 cubic yards of material over 10 years. Ravalli County seeks to remove loose rock from the pit, and excavate new material with a crawler tractor, loader and dump trucks. There would be a primary crushing plant on site to process the rock material. The area of operations would be approximately 4.9 acres in size. The existing perimeter of the quarry would be increased in size. CONTACT PERSON: For information about the proposed action contact Elizabeth Ballard, Resource Coordinator, located at the Stevensville Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest, 88 Main St., Stevensville, MT 59870 (406-777-7421)
Potential Closure - Lost Horse in Montana
Potential Closure - Lost Horse in Montana
"Unthinkably good things can happen, even late in the game." ~ Under the Tuscan Sun