In an editorial, a group of Smith River outfitters express their concerns about the proposed Black Butte copper mine, what it could do to their business on the Smith River, and the likely inability of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to prevent a disaster if they approve the mining permit.
Longtime Smith River outfitters Mike Geary owns Lewis and Clark Expeditions; John Herzer and Terri Raugland own Blackfoot River Outfitters; Brandon Bodecker owns PRO Outfitters; and Joe Sowerby owns Montana Flyfishing Connection.