Task Force Staff Visit Drilling Site at Mount St. Helens

The Task Force staff recently visited the site  in the Mt. Margaret Backcountry where exploratory drilling has begun in preparation for a mineral mine.  We documented the scope of road construction and machinery infiltration which was allowed to happen, all without an environmental assessment or public process of any sort.  Below are a few pictures we took that day.  As you can see, they contain sights much more suitable for an industrial park than the border of a national treasure.

A drill used last year for exploratory drilling sits in the background behind the truck. The Task Force believes that an environmental review and public process comment should be conducted before allowing drilling on public lands.