By KRWG News
Silver City – The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on the Mogollon mining district in southwestern New Mexico.
The mining district consists of 16 individual mine sites in the Mogollon Mountains of the Gila National Forest about 63 miles northwest of Silver City.
An engineering evaluation proposes leaving the sites in their current state, with no removal or containment at any of them.
Officials say that's based on the current minimal risk levels to visitors in the area and the negative environmental impacts associated with building access roads and conducting removal actions.
The Forest Service will decide what to do after considering information submitted during a comment period that ends May 30.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.