SALINE COUNTY, Arkansas — Over 300 acres of national forest land in Arkansas could soon become the site of quartz mining, and the public has until early May to comment for or against.
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced April 5 it’s taking public comment on mining at the Ouachita National Forest, Jessieville-Winona-Fourche Ranger District.
There were eight areas in the national forest identified as possible quartz mining sites, totaling 337 acres. Six of the eight tracts would be permitted for quartz prospecting, while the other two would be for more immediate mining and commercial sale…