By Brad Walton 

from KOTATV.com  

Published: Jul. 17, 2024 at 10:11 AM MDT 

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Minneapolis-based mining company F3 Gold is set to begin exploratory drilling for gold west of Custer. The US Forest Service approved the Newark Exploratory Drilling Project June 18, and some nearby landowners worry about the project’s potential ecological impacts.

Those landowners met with environmental activists and Custer County leaders Tuesday night at Custer County Library to discuss the situation and their plans to oppose the project. Lea Anne and Rob McWharter and Gary Placco hosted the meeting, each expressing concern over the idea of drilling contaminating the groundwater.

“This is your water. Every single person in this county gets water from the same place,” Placco said, addressing the crowd of 92. “And if you want to believe for a split second that they’re drilling into the ground 5,000 feet, 390 holes, and it’s not gonna affect your water, don’t talk to me later. There’s something wrong with you.”

Rob McWharter worked for the Bureau of Land Management for many years and has seen similar situations in the past. He said he believes the Forest Service rushed their decision to get ahead of recent federal environmental regulations.

“Any categorical exclusion, decision, that’s done before 1 July will retain its validity,” McWharter continued.

The group authored a letter of petition and protest to the Forest Service, asking for a suspension of the drilling permit until a thorough environmental assessment is completed. If this doesn’t happen, Placco says he wants to file a lawsuit.

“Protest all you want,” Placco said. “You can scream, rave, and rant. But you can’t stop this unless you do it through court. That’s the only way you can stop this.”

F3 is authorized to begin drilling, but they reportedly have not done so yet. More updates will come as the situation continues to unfold.