RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rapid City Council on Monday night voted 6-4 to approve a resolution opposing gold exploration drilling in the Silver City area.
It was a packed house in council chambers as the decision was made.
Thirty-one people asked to make public comment, all concerned about the proposal from F3 to drill test holes in search of gold in the Rapid Creek Watershed near Pactola Reservoir.
Opponents worry about the mining contaminating the water and destroying the picturesque beauty of the Black Hills.
Proponents for exploration argued that mining technology has evolved, and is advanced enough to prevent dangerous levels of chemicals from damaging the environment.
The city’s formal opposition will be one of several public comments submitted to the U.S. Forest Service, who has the final say in the drilling process.
