Sheep Creek Critical Minerals Mine Proposal

Letter to: Daniel Pliley, West Fork Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest

Montana Sportsmen Alliance, a Montana-based conservation organization, is strongly opposed to the Sheep Creek Mine as proposed.

The critical-mineral claims being considered cover 4,500 acres, mostly in Montana, and contain a portion of the Allen Mountain Inventoried Roadless Area, which is important backcountry habitat for elk, deer, bear and bighorn sheep, as well as many other species inhabiting Montana’s forests. Equally important is that most of these claims are within headwaters of the West Fork of the Bitterroot River, and there’s an almost certain threat of future water pollution from this operation if surface disturbance and mining commence.

The project is identified for fast-track federal processing of the application because of its potential for extraction of rare-earth minerals. A recent public hearing attended by more than 500 concerned citizens in the Bitterroot Valley demonstrated large-scale concerns and opposition for both the fast-tracking process and the development of a mine at the headwaters of the Bitterroot River. In addition, the proponents of this proposal have a poor record of compliance in past mining projects.

Montana’s legacy of extraction companies abandoning both mines and accompanying pollution are well-documented throughout Montana’s mining history. Unforeseen damaging effects are common but often occur after regulating agencies have granted companies permission to mine. Unfortunately, history shows the long-term remediation efforts and costs of too many mining ventures have eventually fallen to the general public. Bonding is generally inadequate and companies often claim bankruptcy, therefore avoiding real costs. And in too many cases, pollution remains in perpetuity.

While our society uses minerals, including rare earth minerals, there are attractive alternatives to reprocess mine wastes and contaminated waters here in Montana so we can clean up rather than contribute to more pollution and fracturing of our remaining wildlands and wildlife habitats.

Please incorporate these comments as Scoping Comments.

Sincerely,

Greg Munther, Leadership Group, Montana Sportsmen Alliance