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Contaminated water containing unsafe levels of Arsenic, Lead, Barium, Chromium, and other hazardous metals is continuously draining out of the Idaho-Maryland Mine into Wolf Creek, in violation of the Clean Water Act. Read this opinion piece in The Union . Ralph Silberstein: Rise Gold is responsible for ongoing Idaho-Maryland Mine pollution November 20, 2024 Ralph Silberstein, President CEA Foundation Currently, contaminated water containing unsafe levels of Arsenic, Lead, Barium, Chromium, and other hazardous metals is continuously draining out of the Idaho-Maryland Mine into Wolf Creek, in violation of the Clean Water Act. A Nov. 9 op-ed in The Union by David Watkinson, the former CEO of Emgold Mining Co., criticized the efforts by CEA Foundation to compel Rise Gold to get a Discharge Permit (NPDES), the first step in remediating the problem. The Watkinson op-ed contained numerous invalid statements. For example, Watkinson states: “The action may well be moot because the discharge from the mine does not occur on property owned by Rise.” In fact, as is well documented in the mine’s own hydrology studies, the discharge comes from the Idaho-Maryland Mine. And, as the holder of the mineral rights, Rise is responsible. This is almost identical to the situation with the Magenta Drain at Memorial Park. The owner of the mineral rights in that case was Newmont Co., a real mining company. Newmont was found liable for the pollution even though the surface property was owned by others. Watkinson also insinuated that CEA, or CEA’s predecessor CLAIM, has known about the ongoing pollution since 2008 and only took action now to hurt Rise financially. In fact, CEA learned of the pollution from the 2020 Hydrology study for Rise’s draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and promptly submitted comments identifying that the draft EIR failed to adequately address this polluting effluent. However, Rise completely ignored these comments and continued to incorrectly characterize the mine’s water quality. This is one of many reasons why the final EIR was not certified by Nevada County. Watkinson then laments that Rise lacks the financial resources to build and maintain a water treatment plant, suggesting that, due to CEA’s actions, the “cleanup costs will be borne by government agencies funded by taxes and also by local residents and businesses who happen to own the mineral rights under their properties, not by Rise.” This is blatant scaremongering. Rise may wish that property owners in the area would have to pay for the cleanup, but the liability rests with Rise. Rise has also withdrawn from their Voluntary Agreement with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to clean up the 56 acre Centennial Site, which may cause the EPA to resume classification of the site under the super-fund program. A significant amount of resources have been used by Rise to prepare a draft Final Remedial Action Plan (RAP). The next step was to make final revisions so that the RAP can be accepted by the DTSC, a key step towards getting the site cleaned up. But instead of completing that milestone, Rise has directed its funds and energy into futile lawsuits against Nevada County. Unless the cleanup is completed, the land has little value. Apparently, Rise intends to abandon the Centennial property. Rise’s financial problems are basically self-inflicted, in large part due to the fact that Rise is suing Nevada County over the County’s denial of Rise’s “vested right to mine” claim and Use Permit application. The vested rights claim is particularly ludicrous, as a vested right requires that the mine has been operating continuously. But the Idaho-Maryland Mine shut down in 1956 and has not been mined since. Additionally, in an illogical self-defeating action, presumably to raise more money for those lawsuits, Rise has listed its “Lumber Mill Site” properties along Brunswick Road for sale. If Rise sells the land, then even with a vested rights or Use Permit victory, Rise would still not be able to go forward with their mine project, which requires the Lumber Mill Site lands for the processing facilities. I wonder if the investors in this corporation even know what is going on? Watkinson suggests that Rise may go bankrupt and, laughably, that CEA’s action to require a NPDES Discharge Permit is the cause, and yet Rise seems to remain in a state of denial, obsessed with improbable lawsuits. It seems that what Watkinson is really hoping for is that the community will allow Rise to walk away from its ongoing pollution responsibilities while it funds salaries and expensive lawyers in their endless legal pursuits. CEA’s position is clear: Rise should begin fulfilling its responsibilities under the Clean Water Act, get a Discharge Permit, and stop polluting our precious water.

CEA Foundation has taken initial steps to bring a “citizen lawsuit” against Rise under the Clean Water Act in order to compel Rise to address mine drain pollution. According to Ralph Silberstein, President of CEA Foundation, “Our goal is simply to compel Rise to stop polluting the creek, to follow the law and apply for a NPDES [Discharge] Permit. For Immediate Release: September 23, 2024 Contacts : commgr@cea-nc.org MineConcerns@cea-nc.org CEA Foundation PRESS RELEASE CEA Foundation Begins Legal Action Against Rise Gold to Stop Mine Drain Pollution Grass Valley, CA – Local non-profit Community Environmental Advocates Foundation (CEA Foundation) has sent Rise Grass Valley, Inc. a subsidiary of Rise Gold Corp, a Notice of Violation , and is preparing a lawsuit to address contaminated mine water effluent discharging into Wolf Creek. Currently, the Idaho-Maryland Mine discharges contaminated water from several mine drain points directly into the main branch of Wolf Creek, including the Eureka Drain and the East Eureka Drain. The illegal contamination levels were identified in testing done in 2019 by the EPA as well as in Rise Gold’s 2020 Environmental Impact Report. The tests show that the mine effluent exceeds safe values of Arsenic, Lead, Manganese, Barium, and other heavy metals in clear violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA). CEA Foundation has made efforts to address the ongoing problem since 2021. Following the denial of the Use Permit to reopen the mine by the Nevada County Board of Supervisors on Feb 16, 2024, the plans to temporarily treat mine effluent during mine operations are no longer applicable and there are no provisions for long term treatment. CEA Foundation has taken initial steps to bring a “citizen lawsuit” against Rise under the Clean Water Act in order to compel Rise to address the contamination problem. According to Ralph Silberstein, President of CEA Foundation, “Our goal is simply to compel Rise to stop polluting the creek, to follow the law and apply for a NPDES [Discharge] Permit. This will likely require Rise to build a permanent water treatment facility along Wolf Creek similar to the one for Magenta Drain in Empire Mine State Park.” The Notice of Violation gives Rise 60 days to respond before the lawsuit is filed in the US District Court in Sacramento. (See https://www.cea-nc.org/notice-of-ongoing-violations-and-intent-to-file-a-citizen-suit-under-the-clean-water-act/   ) *** Community Environmental Advocates Foundation (CEA Foundation) performs research, education, and advocacy to promote responsible land use and environmental protection policies in Nevada County. www.cea-nc.org . CEA Foundation is the leader of MineWatch, a campaign that brings together a coalition of nonprofit organizations, residents, and businesses opposed to the mine. www.MineWatchNC.org .

At the Final Hearing for the Idaho-Maryland Mine on February 15 & 16, 2024, Nevada County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously 5-0 to deny the certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and deny the Rise Gold project, fully rejecting Rise Gold’s plan to re-open the Idaho-Maryland Mine ! You can thank our Supervisors by sending an email to bdofsupervisors@nevadacountyca.gov . This is a huge victory , but it's important to know that it's  not over yet . Rise Gold has sued the County. They still claim they have a vested right to mine, and that the County has violated their due process rights in the processing of the application. CEA Foundation attorneys, Shute, Mihaly, & Weinberger, analyzed their vested rights claims and assert they "will be dead on arrival in court." An Exhausting But Rewarding Marathon American Activist Dorothy Height, once said “Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It's important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It's the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.” And grow we did.  Opposition to the mine has brought this community together like perhaps no other issue. Over the last almost 4 years, thousands of residents, hundreds of businesses, and dozens of activist groups have come together to voice their opposition to the mine. In the meantime, County planners and executive staff spent exhaustive hours working to process the application thoroughly and fairly. Together – this community provided an example  of how to participate in the process with a respectful presence and well researched analysis of the issues. Fortunately, our efforts were well rewarded. Our County’s planning department and commissioners reviewed the risks and stood up for the people. Our Supervisors and their executive staff created an outcome that will protect our air, water, and quality of life in the future. There really are thousands of people to thank for this outcome . Civil servants, researchers, writers, speakers, demonstrators, educators, organizers, project managers, typists, filmmakers, minstrels, and more. It took ALL of us to get to where we are today. You know who you are. Please pat yourself on the back. This was an incredible community effort ! Hearing Highlights Hundreds of people of gathered  at the Rood Center for the hearing – despite chilly, rainy weather – proudly displaying “no mine” stickers and signs. Almost 90 people provided passionate public comments against the mine. At the same time, the County’s YouTube channel recorded over 1,500 views on the first day and 1,000 on the second. Watch Supervisors’ Final Comments and Vote   (apx 35 min) Or re-watch your favorite parts by watching the YouTube recordings of the full hearing. BOS Hearing Feb 15 Part 1 - 4:33   BOS Hearing Feb 15 Part 2 - 5:11   BOS Hearing Feb 16 – 4:26 In final comments, District 4 Supervisor Sue Hoek summed it up succinctly when she said, “This one doesn’t fit this spot anymore”. “ I just don't see it,”  said District 3 Supervisor Lisa Swarthout whose district includes the mine. “I don't see the promise of potentially 300 jobs to override people's quality of life”. “It’s clear that this community wants to move forward to a cleaner economic future  and not go back to mining,” said District 1 Supervisor Heidi Hall. “Brunswick Road is certainly not rural,” said District 2 Supervisor, Ed Scofield. “It’s right on the outskirts, right adjacent to the city limits to Grass Valley… That means that this operation will have the possible impact of 1,000s of people , if not more, if something goes wrong.” Hardy Bullock, Board Chair and District 5 Supervisor wrapped up the final comments. “The final EIR has adequately described – the key word ‘described’ – the potential significant and unavoidable impacts. But the project in my mind, has not adequately removed or mitigated these environmental threats which threaten our community, our way of life for cultural and economic prosperity here.” Lisa Swarthout made the final motion that was unanimously approved: “I make the motion that we deny the certification of the Environmental Impact Report and that we deny the Rise Gold project.” In the News Local News 2/17 – TheUnion.com | 'This one doesn’t fit this spot anymore': Supervisors deny proposed mine project 5-0 2/16 – TheUnion.com | BREAKING: Supervisors vote 5-0 against reopening Idaho Maryland 2/16 – YubaNet.com | Supervisors Deny Rise Grass Valley’s Idaho Maryland Mine Project 2/16 – KNCO.com | Final Rejection Of Idaho Maryland From Supes   Other Insightful Summaries 2/20 CapRadio.org | Nevada County rejects controversial gold mining project 2/20 BNNBreaking.com | Nevada County Says No Amid Community Concerns   TV News ABC 10 News 2/16 - Nevada County supervisors unanimously reject reopening historic gold mine 2/15 - Historic Nevada County gold mine to see final meetings before decision CBS News Sacramento 2/16 - Nevada County denies bid to reopen historic mine after days of public comment 2/16 - Nevada County supervisors reject reopening Idaho Maryland Project 2/15 - Heated debate unfolds Thursday over proposed Idaho-Maryland Mine project FOX 40 News 2/16 Nevada County officials reject Grass Valley mine reopening 2/15 - Dozens of community members speak out against proposal to revive mine 2/15 Nevada County supervisors to have final say on Idaho-Maryland mine project

action KIT Need quick access to our best links for sharing or next-step actions? Here's a list of our favorites. MineWatch Website www.MineWatchNC.org Subscribe to the MineWatch newsletter https://www.minewatchnc.org/subscribe Donate to support the cause https://www.cea-nc.org/donate/ Send comments to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors Use our online letter writing tool to quickly compose and send a message. https://www.minewatchnc.org/send-a-letter Look at our writing kit for inspiration, facts, or tips about how to write your letter https://www.minewatchnc.org/writing-kit Write your own email and send it directly to the supervisors bdofsupervisors@nevadacountyca.gov Make a bigger impact by getting your comments read out loud at bi-weekly Board of Supervisor meetings https://www.minewatchnc.org/post/comment-at-board-of-supervisors-meetings Send by mail Nevada County Board of Supervisor, 950 Maidu Ave. Nevada City, CA 95959 Heidi Hall , Supervisor District 1 Heidi.Hall@nevadacountyca.gov District 1 includes Nevada City and the unincorporated areas of Banner Mountain, Cascade Shores, Deer Creek, and the Highway 174 corridor. Ed Scofield , Supervisor District 2 Ed.Scofield@nevadacountyca.gov District 2 includes the communities of Alta Sierra, Lake of the Pines, and unincorporated areas along Highway 49. Lisa Swarthout, Supervisor District 3, Lisa.Swarthout@nevadacountyca.gov District 3 includes the City of Grass Valley, Cedar Ridge, the Brunswick Basin, Squirrel Creek, and unincorporated areas along Highways 49 and 20. Susan Hoek , Supervisor District 4 Sue.Hoek@nevadacountyca.gov District 4 includes the communities of Penn Valley, North San Juan, Rough & Ready, Lake Wildwood, Spenceville, and unincorporated areas along Highways 20 and 49. Hardy Bullock , Supervisor District 5 Hardy.Bullock@nevadacountyca.gov District 5 includes the Town of Truckee, and the communities of Soda Springs, Washington, Graniteville, Hirschdale, Boca, Floriston, and unincorporated areas along Highways 49, 20, 89, and Interstate 80. Get a free "Stop the Idaho Maryland Mine" pin Send an email with your mailing address to: register@cea-nc.org Get a yard sign Send an email to nominesigns@cea-nc.org ($10 suggested donation) Join our Facebook members group https://www.facebook.com/groups/593387024717920 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minewatchnc/ Join our NextDoor group https://nextdoor.com/g/fv9o8hl6v/ Learn about upcoming events https://www.minewatchnc.org/events Ask questions mineconcerns@cea-nc.org View Maps https://www.minewatchnc.org/post/idaho-maryland-mine-mineral-rights-map Learn the talking points https://www.minewatchnc.org/writing-kit Find articles, videos, meeting recordings and more Library - https://www.minewatchnc.org/blog Advanced Search - https://www.minewatchnc.org/search-results Understand the Project Timeline https://www.minewatchnc.org/post/understanding-the-process-timeline Get handout materials for tabling or canvassing activities Send an email to mineconcerns@cea-nc.org become a minewatcher Join our newsletter for updates and monthly meeting invitations. Subscribe

Join the hundreds of business owners who have voiced their opposition to the Idaho-Maryland Mine. Send us an email with your permission to add your signature to the letter below and we'll send it to the Nevada County Supervisors.  SIGN Business letter Join the hundreds of business owners who have voiced their opposition to the Idaho-Maryland Mine. Send us an email with your permission to add your signature to the letter below and we'll send it to the Nevada County Supervisors . Registered businesses located in Nevada County only please. Nevada County Board of Supervisors 950 Maidu Avenue Nevada City, CA 95959-8617 bdofsupervisors@co.nevada.ca.us RE: Businesses OPPOSE Rise Gold’s proposal to re-open the Idaho-Maryland Mine Dear Supervisors: The undersigned businesses respectfully request that you oppose Rise Gold’s proposal to re-open the Idaho-Maryland Mine. Mining is our past, not our future. During the past 50 years, Nevada County has worked diligently to attract people and investments that contribute to and renew its economic vitality through promising and sustainable enterprises which align with the aspirations of its residents. That is what continues to make this County an attractive place to live, to make a living, and to start new business ventures. Reopening the mine risks a transformation from a community that is a scenic and cultural destination to an industrial town that tolerates excess noise, dust, and truck traffic. It would entail supporting a business that puts precious water resources at risk, generates significant greenhouse gases, and consumes so much energy that it would completely erase the county’s plan to reduce the effects of climate change. The mine could become a deterrent for many seeking to build new business opportunities in Western Nevada County, resulting in reduced community investment and property values. We welcome the County's call for an independent economic study of the impacts of the proposed mine and expect that it will include a non-mine alternative. Rise Gold’s promises to inject money into the local economy may sound attractive, but Nevada County can do better by continuing to invest in existing industries as well as new enterprises that address current priorities in the Sierra like watershed and forest management. The Economic Policy Institute Brief cited by Rise Gold actually shows that other industries can produce far better job numbers than mining, including eight industries Nevada County already has today. An economic study commissioned by the City of Grass Valley during Emgold’s attempt to reopen the Idaho-Maryland Mine in 2008 concluded that Nevada County would be better off economically if it pursued other opportunities than mining. An industrial gold mine would not be a constructive addition to our community. The social and economic benefits are far from clear. The environmental impacts are sobering. We urge you to protect our health, economy, and quality of life. Please deny Rise Gold’s application to reopen the Idaho-Maryland Mine. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Send us an email with the following information. Registered businesses located in Nevada County only please. Business Owner Name Company Name Street Address, City, State, Zip Code Logo (optional) Interested in "going big" with your opposition? Let us know if you'd like us to feature your business on social media. Check it out on Instagram or Facebook. become a minewatcher Join our newsletter for updates and monthly meeting invitations. Subscribe

MineWatch Nevada County is a community campaign to oppose the reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine. We are residents, businesses, and nonprofits who are impacted by the proposed mining operations. About us MineWatch is a community-wide, volunteer-driven campaign led by Community Environmental Advocates Foundation that brings together a coalition of residents, businesses, and non profit groups to oppose the reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine. The MineWatch campaign is dedicated to contributing to the County's decision about the mine with a respectful presence and well researched analysis of the issues. This website is desi gned to share community perspectives and research in a single place. It also acts as a centralize d hub to help people learn and take action. We are residents, businesses, and nonprofits who are impacted by the proposed mining operations. Each of us has a unique strength: Researchers identify impacts Advocates talk with government decision-makers Legal minds collaborate and take action with environmental lawyers Educators help citizens take action This website brings together two types of content: Research-driven perspectives Core web content and library content authored by CEA Foundation is accuracy-checked and reviewed by the research team at CEA Foundation, whose mission is to bring fact-based information to the community. Community perspectives The library also contains a collection of articles, presentations, and opinion pieces authored by coalition members, community residents, and others. The views and opinions expressed by other authors are those of the original creators and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CEA Foundation or the MineWatch campaign. This site brings the best us all together to STOP THE MINE. Donate Minewatch is a grassroots effort funded by donations and grants. The MineWatch campaign is brought to you by the Community Environmental Advocates Foundation , a nonprofit organization that works in collaboration with residents, businesses, and other nonprofits to provide analysis and advocacy on issues that impact our community. Coalition members include Sierra Club, Sierra Fund, Wolf Creek Community Alliance, San Juan Ridge Taxpayers’ Association, the South Yuba River Citizens League, and many others shown below. The goal is to provide fact-based information to the community so we can all make informed decisions. We are always open to fact-checks. Your tax-deductible contribution helps with research, community education, and legal fees. CEA Foundation has hired the highly respected environmental law firm, Shute, Mihaly, and Weinberger, to assist with this effort. 26 GROUPS CALL For COUNTY TO 'JUST SAY NO' 26 local and state groups call for denial of the reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine in Grass Valley, California. In a lengthy letter to the Nevada County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, the MineWatch Coalition cites environmental and economic reasons to deny the project. “…the reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine is not supported by a majority of Nevada County constituents. Nevada County is no longer a resource extraction county. We have shifted onto a new 21st century green economy. And our residents support this shift. Are a few jobs and uncertain tax revenue worth the risk?” Read more stand with us "Once again, a junior mining company wants to re-open the mine. We beat EmGold in the past. Together, we can beat this one too." Ralph Silberstein, President, CEA Foundation become a minewatcher Join our newsletter for updates . Subscribe