Appeals court issues stay on Idaho phosphate mine

BOISE — A federal appeals court has re-imposed an order halting preliminary plans to expand a phosphate mine in southeastern Idaho.

A three judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order this week for the Smoky Canyon Mine. The J.R. Simplot Co. wants to expand the mine into some roadless areas near the Idaho-Wyoming border. The company says expanding is essential to keeping its fertilizer plant in Pocatello running for the next 15 years.

But environmentalists oppose the idea, claiming an expansion into roadless lands would be a major disturbance.

Last week, a federal judge in Idaho said the company could begin doing work to prepare for expansion.

But environmentalists filed an emergency appeal.

In issuing the injunction, the justices said they needed more time to review all the issues raised in the case.