CEA Foundation Wins Pollution Judgement Against Rise

CEA Foundation

May 20, 2026

On Tuesday, United States District Judge William B. Shubb ruled that Rise Grass Valley (aka Rise Gold) is violating the law by discharging pollutants from the Idaho-Maryland Mine into Wolf Creek without a permit. The ruling establishes Rise’s liability for the pollution. This is a major victory for the plaintiff, CEA

Foundation. See the full press release here.

Court Rejects Rise Gold’s Vested Rights Claim for Idaho-Maryland Mine

CEA Foundation

May 8, 2026

Nevada County Superior Court Judge S. Robert Tice-Raskin has ruled against Rise Grass Valley’s claim that it retains vested rights to reopen and operate the Idaho-Maryland Mine in Grass Valley.

In a May 7, 2026 Memorandum Decision and Order, the Court denied Rise Grass Valley’s petition seeking to overturn Nevada County’s unanimous December 2023 decision rejecting the company’s vested rights claim. The Court concluded that while some vested mining rights may have existed when Nevada County adopted zoning regulations in 1954, those rights were later abandoned.

See CEA's full press release here.

UPDATE: Rise Gold Vested Rights Trial Rescheduled to March 6, 2026

CEA Foundation

Jan 1, 2026

The vested rights lawsuit filed by Rise Grass Valley Inc. (Rise Gold) begins on March 6, 2026 in Nevada County Superior Court, Department 6 at 10:00 AM.  The case was supposed to begin January 9, but has been rescheduled. The public is allowed to attend the court hearing.

In May 2024, after the Nevada County Board of Supervisors denied both Rise Gold’s Use Permit Application to re-open the Idaho-Maryland Mine and its petition for vested rights to mine without a permit, the mining company launched a two part lawsuit against Nevada County challenging both decisions..  CEA Foundation published a press release analyzing the case, and a newsletter that explains the case and summarizes the briefs from both sides.

CEA Foundation Publishes Report on Biochar

April 24, 2025

As we work to reduce fire hazards from fuel loads in our forests, converting biomass to

bio-char can significantly reduce the amount of GHG emissions and create less air pollution when compared to full combustion of biomass. Biochar can also be a useful soil amendment, but not all carbon “chars” are biochar, and not all biochars are beneficial for soils.

This overview examines what biochar is, how it is produced, various environmental impacts, its use as a soil amendment, and issues surrounding forest fuels reduction. See https://www.cea-nc.org/documents/grass_valley_bio-char/Overview_of_Biochar_Production_and_Uses.pdf 

CEA Foundation Wins the 2025 Anthony Grassroots Environmental Prize

April 22, 2025

The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment has named CEA Foundation as the recipient of the 2025 Anthony Grassroots Environmental Prize for spearheading the MineWatch campaign, leading to stopping the reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine. The award includes a $1000 prize. For further information, see https://rosefdn.org/latest/honoring-grassroots-power-real-impact-one-incredible-victory/

Update on Rise Gold Corp Lawsuit Against the County

CEA Foundation

February 10, 2025

On February 3, a hearing was held in Nevada County Superior Court to set the calendar for the Rise Gold Corp's lawsuit against the county. Presiding Judge S. Robert Tice-Raskin requested that the parties involved produce a three page summary document outlining the essential points of the case. The calendar hearing was reset for March 24.

CEA Foundation continues to monitor the case closely in order to best support the County’s defense, including a proposed amicus brief filing.

Background

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to deny Rise Gold’s claim of vested rights on Dec 14, 2023 and on Feb 16, 2024 they unanimously voted to deny Rise Gold’s application for a Use Permit to open the mine and denied certification of the Environmental Impact Report. See https://www.minewatchnc.org for additional information.

Subsequently, Rise Filed a lawsuit on May 10, 2024, claiming “bias” by the county and seeking to overturn both decisions. The massive records for the case (59,000 pages) were assembled by the County and submitted in November of 2024.

Rise Gold Sued Over Clean Water Act Violations

CEA Foundation

Jan 22, 2025

Rise Gold Corp has been sued for violating the Clean Water Act regarding the discharge of waters contaminated with heavy metals. The contaminated mine water flows from the Idaho-Maryland Mine into Wolf Creek near central Grass Valley.

Read the press release here.

Board of Supervisors Approves Tiny Houses on Wheels Ordinance

CEA Foundation

Jan 5, 2025

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved a Tiny Homes on Wheels Ordinance. The ordinance establishes health and safety standards, certification requirements, site development standards and design requirements that would allow for Tiny Homes on Wheels as single-family dwellings, second dwellings and dwelling groups consistent with allowed density, and accessory dwelling units within those zoning districts that would otherwise allow traditional built housing.

Resources

Nevada County BoS staff report and relevant documents

yubanet.com

Nevada City, CA – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an ordinance allowing tiny homes on wheels to be used as permanent residences. The goal is to provide an affordable housing option for residents and address the housing crisis in the county. “We are in a housing crisis and the people who spoke here […]

Concerns about Bio-Char Project Emissions Voiced at GV Hearing

CEA Foundation

Jan 3, 2025

CEA Board member Don Rivenes attended the December 30, 2024 hearing on the proposed bio-char plant being proposed in Grass Valley. His comments focused on concerns about the Bio-Char Project emissions. Here's a link to the comments.

Resources

https://biomassmagazine.com/articles/california-officials-approve-biochar-pilot-project

Rise Gold Sells 66 acres of land for $4.3M

CEA Foundation

Dec 12, 2024

Rise Gold Corp. has sold 66 acres of the 119 acre Brunswick site, ending their relatively short lived ownership of the SPI Lumber Mill site along Brunswick Road. This leaves Rise with the adjacent 53 acre historic Brunswick Mine property, a key part of the Idaho-Maryland Mine.

According to Rise Gold’s Nov 27, 2024 press release, the real estate transaction is divided into two parts; a contract to sell 16 acres for $1.8 million, which has been executed, and a second contract to sell 50 acres for $2.5 million, which is expected to close on May 26, 2025. Rise received half of the proceeds of the 16 acres sale, less certain deductions, and is financing the rest.

Selling these parcels could create an obstacle to future mine development. When Rise Gold applied for a Use Permit to reopen the Idaho-Maryland Mine in 2019, the application included the 119 acre Brunswick site, the 56 acre Centennial site, and 2585 acres of subsurface mineral rights. A substantial portion of the proposed ore processing facilities are situated on the 66 acres that were sold. Apparently for this reason, the sale agreement included an option for Rise to repurchase the land if Rise prevails in the lawsuit.

The Use Permit was denied by a unanimous vote of the Nevada County Board of Supervisors on February 16, 2024. Rise Gold Corp. subsequently sued the County in an effort to overturn that decision and the case will begin sometime in 2025. Selling these parcels would make it impossible for Rise to obtain permits without a complete redesign of the facilities.