The Bureau of Land Management is currently accepting comments in regards to the Pequop Exploration Project (West Pequop Project, LLC) located in Elko County on both private and public lands.  The project is focussed on gold exploration within the West Pequop Mountains.  The main concerns associated with this project are the negative impacts that the construction of new exploration roads and drill sites will have on the wildlife, culturally significant areas, and the environment in general. An Environmental Analysis is currently underway.  However, we feel that a complete Environmental Impact Statement is warrented because of the area's cultural and environmental significance discussed below. The proposed activites will take place throughout the existing and the proposed expanded Project Areas.  Please click on the following links to learn more about the specifics:

Video of Kem Kough Mountain Biking through Six Mile Canyon and the other areas of the Pequops!

Photo from top left to right: Mike Miller, Kem Kough, and Jon Cheek discussing the cultural and environmental significance of the West Pequop Mountains and Six-Mile Canyon; Mike miller with lithic artifacts; obsidian arrowheads that were discovered; view from within the West Pequop Mountains looking east.  Click on image for a larver view.

We met with Kem Kough, a concerned rancher, and Mike Miller, a Western Shoshone, and toured Six-Mile Canyon within the West Pequop Mountain Range, approximately 30 miles east of Wells. Kem wants to see this beautiful, pristine area protected from the effects of gold mining explorations currently planned by AuEx Ventures (49%), Inc. and Agnico-Eagle Limited (51%). Mike Miller shared his insights into the cultural significance of the area. As we discovered, numerous cultural artifacts are clearly visible throughout the landscape.

In addition to the curlturally significant areas that the West Pequops contain, two land snail species (Oreohelix strigosa and Oreohelix hemphilli) reside in Six-Mile Canyon.  A study conducted by Mark A. Ports (2004) reveals that the Oreohelix strigosa are only found on 12 mountain ranges in Nevada compared to 19 for Oreohelix hemphilli.

Unidentified land snails found in Six-Mile Canyon.