The parcel, known as Mineral Survey 779, came under the Forest Service's jurisdiction in 1986 along with the implicit-if not legally binding-understanding that it wouldn't be developed. Here's why: The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit organization that buys land and sells it to agencies for protection, donated the parcel. And the donation was part of a larger preservation project in the area that includes land bought with a federal fund.That fund's purpose: to preserve outdoor recreation resources.

Now, Spokane-based Idaho General Mines Inc. wants to lease Mineral Survey 779 and other parcels around it to mine them for molybdenum, silver, gold and copper. This counters the purpose for the land trust's donation. But because Mineral Survey 779 was donated and not bought with federal conservation funds, there are no restrictions on development. The Forest Service says that procedure mandates their consideration of the Idaho General Mines proposal.

"We're guardians of the public process to ensure the mining company has the right to request this lease, and we go through a process and make sure all sides are looked at," says Forest Service spokesman Tom Knappenberger.

The Forest Service and BLM have plenty of opportunity to redeem themselves. The long, intensive review process has barely begun. But here's the real question: Why even consider allowing a mine on land donated for preservation-even if it's legal? And here's another: Just what the hell is molybdenum?