by Mark Van Loon, Hamilton
After three years, the company behind the proposed Sheep Creek mine, USCM, finally engaged with Ravalli County citizens. Well, sort of… Speaking for USCM was “senior advisor” Scott Osterman*. Like a glossy sales brochure, he was slick and polished and big on ‘promises’ but short on facts. When questioned by the commissioners about details, what would be the fine print, it was clear that he couldn’t explain the details because there were none.
Most attendees agreed that Osterman and his presentation was a waste of time, all smoke and mirrors. But I submit that USCM sending slick talking Osterman to “sell” us on the fantasy of “the mine of the future” as he called it, shows just how little USCM cares about the people who will be impacted the most by the Sheep Creek mine. First they stonewall us. Then they send us a slick talking salesman. All the while putting out PR slop about how they’re moving forward with innovative steps and processes for an “environmentally friendly” mine with their own fantasy timetable.
To date, all three Commissioners and Sens. Daines and Sheehy and Rep. Zinke have supported taking the proposed mine off the fast track and doing a full and complete vetting process. We thank them. And thank you to all the involved citizens who showed up to the County Commissioners special meeting on Dec. 1. Special thanks to all who made comments, especially the rebuttal presentations by Phil
Ramsey and Heather Barber. But it’s not over yet. Please stay informed and engaged as the process moves forward.
* USCM spokesman Scott Osterman was the former Commerce Dep’t. director under Gov. Gianforte and was forced to resign in 2023 for misusing state funds. https://montanafreepress.org/2023/12/14/montana-commerce-department-director-resigns-after-probe-into-travel-expenses/ (Thanks to Michele Dieterich for this info.)
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