A nonprofit organization called American Rivers is out with its list of the 10 most endangered rivers for 2020, and Rapid Creek is on the list.
The creek flows from the Black Hills across the plains to the Cheyenne River. Rapid Creek is filled with cool, clear water, and is a water source for Rapid City.
American Rivers is not highlighting current pollution problems in the creek. Instead, the organization says exploratory gold drilling in the creek’s watershed could lead to future pollution, if exploration turns into mining.
American Rivers specifically names drilling projects by Mineral Mountain Resources and F3 Gold. Mineral Mountain did not immediately respond to an interview request. At F3 Gold in Minneapolis, Rob Bergmann said his company only does exploring, not mining. And he said drilling for core samples is safe, like drilling a water well.
“We’re not a mining company nor looking to do any mining,” Bergmann said. “And the assertion that mineral exploration poses a risk to Rapid Creek in my mind kind of shows a lack of understanding of the hydrological features of the watershed, as well as the process of exploratory drilling.”
But Lilias Jarding, of Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, said drilling has a clear goal.
“Exploration’s only done for one purpose,” Jarding said, “and that’s to find something that can be mined.”
Jarding worked with American Rivers on Rapid Creek’s endangered listing. She cited mining activity in the past that polluted other Black Hills creeks with cyanide, arsenic and other contaminants.
Mineral Mountain is already drilling on privately owned land in the Black Hills. The U.S. Forest Service is reviewing the company’s plan to drill on national forest land, as well as a plan from F3 Gold. The federal agency is requiring environmental assessments for both projects. American Rivers is calling for more extensive environmental impact statements.