Members of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition are attempting to raise $6.25 million to stop mining in a small sliver north of Yellowstone National Park left unprotected. According to the Public News Service, Crevice Mining Group intends to prospect for gold in an area on the northern edge of the park known as the Yellowstone gateway, and the nonprofit coalition hopes to purchase land and mining rights before they do so.
In 2016, a congressional order prohibited new mining claims on 30,000 acres north of Yellowstone, but failed to protect the 1,368 acres that makes up Crevice Mountain. As of today, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition has raised a little under $4.465 million, around $1.785 million away from their goal. They have until October 1, 2023, to reach their goal.
Though the Crevice Mining property is not directly inside the park, its close proximity to the border would pose a severe threat to wildlife, land, and water within Yellowstone National Park. Furthermore, as claimed by the coalition, the mine site would be visible from nearly half of Yellowstone.
“I just have to believe there are a lot of people out there in our country and really in the world who share the same passion that we do for Yellowstone National Park and this amazing greater Yellowstone ecosystem.” – executive director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition Scott Christensen
If you’re interested in supporting the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s goal, you can do so on their website.
Image Credit: Yellowstone National Park via Facebook
Featured Image Credit: Greater Yellowstone Coalition via Facebook