‘Protect Our Water’ float wins first place at Custer Gold Discovery Days

The PROTECT OUR WATER Float unanimously won first place in the “Organization” category of the parade. (Photo courtesy of Black Hills Clean Water Alliance)

A cute little stuffed animal skunk on the Protect Our Water Float emphasizes the taking of the Black Hills as a ripe and rank affair. (Photo courtesy Black Hills Clean Water Alliance)

Karen Little Thunder, Data Analyst for the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance sits next to a White Buffalo on the Protect Our Water Float. (Photo courtesy Black Hills Clean Water Alliance)

CUSTER – It was a beautiful, sunny day in Custer, South Dakota as Black Hills Clean Water Alliance staff members and volunteers came together for the 100^th anniversary of Custer Gold Discovery Days. Although we are not into gold mining, we are into spreading the message of protecting our water, land and wildlife from more large-scale mining.

Our gorgeous 26-foot float featured the wildlife of our area, who do not have a voice of their own, so we need to speak up on their behalf to protect the Black Hills. Igmu tanka (mountain lion), wanbli (eagle), Pte Ska, and others were featured, along with the words “Water is Life.” Our Fish People flanked the float, handing out flyers with information regarding the current active mining claims circling Custer.

Any claim could potentially lead to new large-scale open pit mines. These projects are not like old-time mining. They would be industrial operations with major and lasting impacts. Mining would negatively impact our local tourism and outdoor recreation economy.

We were met with much support from Custer community members and as a result, our amazing PROTECT OUR WATER Float unanimously won first place in the “Organization” category of the parade! Public engagement and spreading the message is what it is all about, because it takes ALL of US TOGETHER to make a change.

Contact the US Forest Service office at 605-673-0200 and the DANR at 605-773-4201 and let them know that you oppose these projects. Contact your State Legislators and County Commissioners. For more information, go to bhcleanwateralliance.org or to Black Hills Clean Water Alliance on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

FULL INFO ON CUSTER PARADE FLYER:

Custer is currently circled by active mining claims that could lead to new large-scale open pit mines. These are not like old-time mining. These would be industrial operations with major impacts.

There is a proposed gold exploration project to the west along French Creek called the Newark Project. This would be a “foot in the door” to more gold projects. Mining and processing gold have a long history of polluting water. The Forest Service is considering this project.

There are at least 10 lithium exploration and mining operations active in the Black Hills. Four mining licenses have been issued by the State, and at least one lithium mine is active just south of Custer. There are mining claims to the east of Custer, to the south all the way to south of Pringle, and to the north along 385. Lithium is used for batteries, including for electric cars. Mining and processing lithium pollute and use large amounts of water.

There is only one reason to explore for minerals – the hope of finding enough to mine. Mining would negatively impact the water and our local tourism and outdoor recreation economy. We need to work to stop these projects.

The post ‘Protect Our Water’ float wins first place at Custer Gold Discovery Days first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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