Mine talk draws hundreds

by John Dowd

On Monday, February 26, Dr. Phillip Ramsey, head biologist at MPG Ranch in Florence, gave a presentation in partnership with the Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association (RCFWA), on the Sheep Creek Mine proposal. According to Mark Oswald, president of the RCFWA, the event space filled up so fast they had to open the presentation into other rooms and people were lined up out the door.

Oswald heard Ramsey’s presentation in Darby and contacted him, asking if he could do one with the RCFWA. The event was co-sponsored by the Bitterroot chapter of Trout Unlimited. Ramsey, according to Oswald, was excited to speak, and has been giving many other similar talks about the Sheep Creek Mine proposal.

Ramsey is a founder of the Bitterroot Clean Water Alliance, as well as a resident of the West Fork. He has a Ph.D in microbiology and in school specifically studied the effects of heavy metal contamination in rivers. He has published over 70 papers, according to his bio on the Bitterroot Clean Water Alliance website. 

The event drew over 220 people to the Bitterroot River Inn. “It was really a good turnout,” said Oswald. It was attended by people from all over western Montana, including Anaconda, and Missoula, and as far away as Helena and even into Idaho. This may have been because many area conservation organizations advertised it.

“A lot of people are concerned, in particular, about the river,” said Oswald. He referenced their concerns from the presentation relating to the Berkeley Pit, in Butte, which is one of the nation’s largest Superfund sites. According to Oswald, the health of the river, and indeed the valley, comes down to the health of the Bitterroot River. 

Oswald said that Ramsey’s presentation included a good description of the area and the risks involved with the proposed type of mining operation. Ramsey spoke on the chemicals involved, and mentioned the road construction, buildings and infrastructure that could be involved. All of this, and more, according to Ramsey in his talk, recounted by Oswald, could be the source of major disruption to the natural space. To Oswald, it would disrupt wildlife and some of the headwaters to the Bitterroot, something many locals do not want. 

According to Oswald, Ramsey also spoke on alternate options, including using current mines and more sophisticated forms of mineral extraction in those areas that are already damaged. And they are damaged, as Oswald explained that there have been very few, if any, positive mining operations in the state or mines of this kind. Oswald also spoke on the fact that the company in question, out of Canada, is carrying baggage of a less than stellar track record. 

Another important part of the presentation, said Oswald, was the Q and A portion. “A lot of people asked, ‘What can we do?’” said Oswald. To answer this, Oswald echoed Ramsey’s thoughts, saying concerned people need to get educated on the issue, be vocal and contact the Forest Service, because that agency will have the final say on approval or disapproval of such an operation. 

Oswald said comments do not need to be anything scholarly or complicated. Something as simple as “my kids float this river, I want it to be safe for them,” or “I run my cattle on this river,” are the kinds of things people can say, according to Oswald. He added that it will affect everyone, not just those using and living on the river. Oswald spoke again on the infrastructure and the trucks that could be traveling up and down the area. “Those folks that live up there, they don’t want to see all that traffic,” said Oswald. 

He also recommended joining up with RCFWA, Trout Unlimited or any other area conservation organization to learn where else and how else to help. “Don’t be complacent, write in, email, call!” said Oswald. He asked people to contact politicians, state, federal and local. “Even contact DEQ. There is a lot people can do,” added Oswald. 

For more information about how to get involved, interested parties can reach out to the RCFWA by calling (406) 961-1435, or by going to its website, RCFWA.org. Parties can also look up the Bitterroot Clean Water Alliance website, at bitterrootcleanwater.org.