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Protecting Air & Water
Protecting and advancing air and water quality standards to ensure a clean and healthy climate for future generations
Climate & Energy
Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels through an equitable transition to renewable and clean energy sources
2023 Montana Legislature
FEATURED ACTIONS
Sign up for our emailed Action Alerts to get the most important actions in your inbox.
We’ll send out a weekly email and occasional urgent alerts this session. Check our action center for ways you can engage today.
LEGISLATIVE ESSENTIALS
Need resources to help you engage in the 2023 Montana Legislative Session?
We’ve got you covered. Head over to our Legislative Hub for everything you need to submit comments, testify, write LTEs, or just have the information you need to let your legislators know where you stand.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MEIC Weekly Legislative Update Series
Mar 30, 2023
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Join us virtually on Thursdays at 4:30 pm for an update on our latest legislative priorities.
MEIC Weekly Legislative Update Series
Apr 6, 2023
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Join us virtually on Thursdays at 4:30 pm for an update on our latest legislative priorities.
MEIC Weekly Legislative Update Series
Apr 13, 2023
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Join us virtually on Thursdays at 4:30 pm for an update on our latest legislative priorities.
The Latest Stories and Actions from MEIC
The 2023 Legislature: Your Constitutional Rights Are in Jeopardy
Down to Earth, Dec. 2022 – In case anyone was thinking that Montana’s 2023 Legislative Session might be better for the environment than the grueling 2021 Session, their hopes were dashed after the election. The session is going to be brutal for those who care about clean air, clean water, a healthy climate, and corporate accountability.
Let's rise up.
Help protect Montana’s clean air and water.
MEIC has worked for almost 50 years to keep Montana’s air and water clean. We have stopped dirty acid mines and helped pass and defend strong pollution control laws. And it’s all made possible by our members.
MEIC is made up of thousands of Montanans who care deeply about this state – our home. This strong membership has allowed MEIC to remain independent and to always fight for what is right. We would love to have you as a member too.
MEIC in the News
EPA and Montana Resources promise action after InvestigateWest report exposes public health concerns
Mar 17, 2023 – Following revelations about the Environmental Protection Agency’s cozy relationship with a mining company in Butte, the EPA this week announced a series of steps meant to “increase transparency” and engagement with the local community.
Montana Legislature begins tackling proposed amendments to state constitution
Mar 16, 2023 – Wednesday at the Capitol, advocacy groups like the ACLU of Montana and the Montana Environmental Information Center held a “Rally to Defend Montana’s Constitution,” protesting proposed amendments.
Save Our Smith—more than just a river.
THE SMITH RIVER
The Smith River is not a location for another failed mining experiment.
Montana’s Smith River is renowned worldwide for its clean water, rugged canyon scenery, and blue ribbon trout fishery. The Smith is Montana’s only permitted recreational river. The permitted section of the Smith River winds 59 miles through a remote canyon in the Big Belt Mountains. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks classifies the Smith River’s fishery as high-value, owing to its bountiful population of rainbow, brown, westslope cutthroat, and brook trout. The canyon walls of the Smith also boast some of the best examples of Native American pictographs in Montana.
A COMMON CAUSE
Urge Montana to protect the Smith.
Montana’s Smith River is an extraordinary resource, and deserves our most rigorous effort to protect it from mine pollution and dewatering. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and the Department of Environmental Quality Director Chris Dorrington will make critical decisions that will determine the future of the Smith River and the Sheep Creek Mine.
Please contact Governor Gianforte and Director Dorrington. Let them know that the Smith River is an incredibly important place for the people of Montana and across the country and world, and should not be sacrificed for temporary and risky mining activities.
PROTECTING CLEAN WATER
It’s time to make a stand.
The Smith River and its tributaries provide crucial habitat and spawning grounds for regional trout fisheries. The Sheep Creek drainage accounts for over half of tributary spawning of rainbow trout in the Smith River drainage, and rainbow trout have been known to travel nearly 200 miles round-trip from the Missouri River to spawn!
The Smith River depends on clean cold water from its tributaries to sustain the aquatic life within its banks and the agricultural operations along it. Demands on the river’s waters already often exceed available flows in many years, creating challenges for downstream water users.
“For a practice that has a known effect on soils and strata and water, the onus should be on the applicant [to pay for mine clean-up]. I appreciate mining practices, but what is anything worth if you don’t have clean water.”
J.P. Pomnichowski
Bozeman Senator, SD 33
Montana Environmental
Information Center
Clean and healthful.
It's your right, our mission.
Stay Connected
P: (406) 443-2520
E: meic@meic.org
107 W. Lawrence St., #N-6
Helena, MT 59601
Mailing addresses:
P.O. Box 1184, Helena, MT, 59624
225 W. Front, Missoula, MT, 59802