Yes, the gold rush is still on. The price of gold is still high. Here is the status of the seven gold exploration projects in the Eastern Sierra:

In the Bodie Hills

• Spring Peak--last year and reclamation on Forest Service land, but can continue drilling on the private property. Headwater Gold has two crews working out there now. This will be the last year that the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest allows a mineral exploration project to go on for 365 non-continuous days under a categorical exclusion. From now on, they will correctly interpret the "one year or less" limitation of a categorical exclusion as one calendar year from the first ground disturbance. Click here to see what drilling looks like there.
• Sawtooth Ridge--Hecla Nevada filled in the sump pits. We haven't heard if they will continue to drill any of the remaining 13 drill sites. Applying the one calendar year interpretation, Hecla Nevada has to finish their project activities and reclaim the road and drill pads by October. Click here to see what drilling looks like there.
• Bald Peak--they could have started drilling last year. The Forest Service hasn't heard from the proponent yet, Paramount Gold. 
• Lodestar--we are waiting for the scoping notice to be released. Headwater Gold submitted a plan of operations to the Forest Service at the end of last year.
• Polaris--we are waiting for environmental assessment to be released. It is expected in the fall. This is the project that will put roads and drill pads on the top of East Brawley Peak, a beautiful subalpine environment with stunning views.

In Long Valley outside of Mammoth Lakes

• Hot Creek--the appeals court revoked the Forest Service's approval of the project. No word from the proponent , KORE Mining, if they still want to pursue the gold exploration project.

In the Southern Inyo Mountains above the Owens Lake

• Conglomerate Mesa--waiting for the BLM to release the environmental impact report. It is expected this fall. We expect there will be a new alternative or a new way to get to the project area that will impact fewer Joshua trees. K2Gold's website says it will be favorable to them. We still strongly support a helicopter alternative to avoid the need for creating long access roads to the drill sites and cutting into the side of the mountain. Click here to see who lives there!

By Lynn Boulton

Photo below: View of where a route to the drill sites at Conglomerate Mesa is being considered--from the white vehicle in the middle of the photo to the ridge where the photo was taken from. The new road would continue for a little over 2 miles up the ridge, down the other side, then up to the project area.