On Monday, September 18th, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality announced that it will begin review of the Black Butte Copper Project under the Montana Environmental Policy Act. This is a year plus long process that must include public comment and public hearings. Stay tuned for updates on when and where these public hearings will be.
Smith River highlighted in “30 American Places”
For 30 days during the month of September, Trout Unlimited will be celebrating public lands by highlighting 30 American Places. Of course, the Smith River was picked as one of them. Follow and read up on this public land celebration here!
Smith River mine update
On Monday, August 14th the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) informed Tintina Resources that its application for a permit to mine has met its completeness and compliance review. This is just the beginning of a long permitting process.
Giving a Voice to Rivers
Joe Newman spent two months this summer at Camp Baker, the public put in to the Smith River, educating people about the proposed copper mine that threatens the health of the Smith River watershed. Read about his experience Giving a Voice to Rivers.
Montana Legislature fails to protect taxpayers, clean water
In a recent op-ed, Rep. Nate McConnell, D-Missoula, discusses hard rock mining, outdoor recreation in Montana and a common sense bill he brought to the 2017 Montana Legislature.
After failing three times, foreign-owned mining company, Tintina, finally clears its first hurtle
The company proposing a copper mine in the Smith River watershed has cleared its first regulatory hurdle. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has informed Tintina that its application for a permit to mine has met its completeness and compliance review. This triggers an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Black Butte Copper Project — a long review process that includes public comment and public hearings.
This fight is far from over. As Executive Director of Montana Trout Unlimited said ““The completeness review is a small step in a long process before metals will be dug out near Sheep Creek, the tributary of the Smith.”
You can read the entire article here