Yavapai-Prescott • Entered by Jenny Cobb on May 9, 2025
NEPA Silver Cord Exploratory Drilling Project
April 4, 2025
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | |
| Post Admin hours | |
| Activity Hours | 2 |
| Participants | 1 |
| Total Hours | 2 |
Key Issue: Oil, Gas, or Mineral Development
Activity Type: Advocacy (rallies, lobbying, meeting decision makers, letters/calls/emails)
Key Partners: Joe Trudeau, Consultant
Landscape/area: Prescott National Forest (1257005 acres)
Short Description of Activity
Joe Trudeau prepared the scoping response for this proposed PNF project. Jenny reviewed the letter and joined in the NEPA process. Signatories are THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY • CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
PRESCOTT AUDUBON SOCIETY • MARICOPA AUDUBON SOCIETY SIERRA CLUB – GRAND CANYON CHAPTER AND YAVAPAI GROUP
CENTRAL ARIZONA WILDLIFE ALLIANCE • COSANTI FOUNDATION FRIENDS OF ARIZONA RIVERS • GREAT OLD BROADS FOR WILDERNESS
Reflection/Evaluation
Sally was copied. They are claiming categorical exclusion; therefore, the project will not have an EA and proceed straight to approval.
Please accept these comments on behalf of the undersigned organizations in response to the Silver Cord Exploratory Drilling Project interested party letter, dated March 6, 2025. We have significant concerns regarding the proposed project, including:
• The proposed Categorical Exclusion limits analysis to a minor piecemeal component of King Global Venture’s larger mining scheme, avoiding proper National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis of cumulative impacts, connected actions, and reasonably foreseeable actions across USFS and BLM lands.
• The project exacerbates water quality problems on Turkey Creek, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed 303D Impaired Water, as well as in the larger Black Canyon Creek and Agua Fria River watersheds.
• Extraordinary Circumstances are sufficient to preclude the use of a Categorical Exclusion, warranting further analysis and documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
• The Forest Service Must Undertake Endangered Species Act Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.