As the Smith River float season begins, winter is still holding on. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has temporarily closed the Smith River to floating due to ice jams.
Modern mine, huge problems.
Montana’s Bad Actor Law is pretty simple – leave a toxic mess in our state and saddle Montana taxpayers with the cleanup costs, then we’re not going to let you come back and make another mess. As they say, fool me once….State Department of Environmental Quality officials are commended for going after an Idaho mining company over abandoned polluted mining sites.
Read the whole story Here.
DEQ is doing the right thing by requesting more time.
The Montana Department of Environmetal Quality is requesting more time from Sandfire Resources to preform the Environmental Impact Statement. “We’ve thought all along that 12 months is going to be unattainable, unrealistic and the only way we’d meet a 12-month timeframe is to compromise the integrity of the analysis or public involvement,” said Tom Livers, DEQ director.”
Will Sandfire do the right thing and allow the extension? Read the whole article here
Tired of getting the shaft?
Concerns over the long-term impacts of hardrock mining on streams and rivers have come into sharp focus in recent years, particularly where the Smith River is concerned. This proposed ballot initiative would do something about that.
Yes for Responsible mining and Yes for Clean water
On February 21, 2018 an initiative supported by a coalition of Montana conservation organizations, including Montana Trout Unlimited, was submitted to the Montana Secretary of States office. This initiative is simple. It’s about protecting clean water, public health and Montana taxpayers from perpetual mine pollution while allowing for responsible mineral development. Read the Helena IR article here
Last day for Smith River permit applications!
Don’t forget to submit your application for a 2018 Smith River float permit! Today, February 15, is the last day to do so. For more information, go to the Smith River State Park website.