In this meeting recorded on April 21, MEIC’s Derf Johnson gives an update on the Smith River mining victory, Bad Actor, a BLM mineral withdrawal, and more. Check it out here. Scroll down for links shared during the call.
Links shared during this call:
- Victory for the Smith River! Here’s one article: https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/crime-and-courts/judge-rules-against-deq-on-smith-river-mine/article_a1903313-d0b9-53cb-b41c-
- Here’s MEIC’s scorecard: https://meic.org/bill-tracker/#/legislators/statescorecard
- Here’s a recent op-ed from MEIC, TU, and American Rivers about the Smith: https://missoulacurrent.com/opinion/2022/04/viewpoint-mine-smith/
- Here’s a story from 2018 about the mining pollution at Zortman-Landusky: https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/09/13/cleanup-costs-zortman-landsky-gold-mines-continue-mount-montana-bad-actor-superfund-acid/1292506002/
- Here’s a story about the recent claims: https://missoulacurrent.com/outdoors/2021/12/gold-zortman-landusky/
- We have a story about this FBIC effort and win in our latest Down to Earth: https://www.meic.org/down-to-earth
- You’ll have to use BLM’s website to submit comments on this mineral withdrawal:
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2003949/570
Click “Participate Now” to write and submit comments before May 4. “Support Alternative C” - Here’s a Billings Gazette article about this comment period, too:
https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/blm-release-environmental-assessment-of-zortman-area-mining-withdrawal/article_9f4250d4-d81b-560d-ae7e-5d8b496e0af0.html - Even pro-mining Butte was skeptical about this: https://billingsgazette.com/opinion/editorial/montana-opinion-states-retreat-from-bad-actor-enforcement-is-outrageous/article_90db003c-9f81-5f20-81c3-ce4497d98f9b.html
- It’s not the first time Gov. Gianforte’s administration has been sued for not providing timely fulfillment of records requests: https://missoulacurrent.com/government/2022/03/groups-sue-governors/
- How to submit comment online for mining reform:
Submit comment before 11:59 p.m. on July 31. Comments may be submitted through https://www.regulations.gov and will be available for public viewing and inspection. In the Search box, enter the docket number: Docket No. DOI-2022-0003;. For best results, do not copy and paste the number; instead, type the docket number into the Search box using hyphens. Then, click on the Search button. You may submit a comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment.’’ - Click here to read the DOI’s announcement about this comment period and instructions for mailing comments by snail mail: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-06750.pdf
- Talking points can be found in our last email newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/meic.org/3-things-april-13
- Here’s that job description: https://meic.org/sustainable-communities-planning-advocate/
