By Derf Johnson
A diverse coalition delivered nearly 10,000 signatures to the Forest Service in May.
A number of Montana businesses are speaking up in defense of the Smith River and supporting a mineral withdrawal of the federal lands surrounding the Smith River watershed. Their message? The current economy that surrounds the Smith River is robust and healthy, and it should not be compromised. Indeed, the recreation economy along the Smith is a vital economic contributor to the state. It’s also a source of water for agricultural producers, a favorite hunting spot for Montana sportsmen and sportswomen, and a place of respite for many Montanans at generational family cabins.
Case in point, a 2015 report by Southwick and Associates estimated that southwest Montana derives over $7 million in economic activity annually just for the angling opportunities alone on the Smith River, and a potential ripple or multiplier effect of over $11 million as businesses and individuals benefit from the increased economic activity. The Southwick report also noted that the recreation economy surrounding the Smith River generates more than $3 million in salaries and wages, and provides more than 70 jobs to hardworking Montanans. These Montanans contribute close to $1 million in state and local tax revenue, which provides additional funding for critical government services that would otherwise likely be borne by property taxes.
Unlike a high-risk temporary mining project, these economic benefits will last forever, provided that we manage the resource correctly. This means preserving the water quality, protecting the fish and wildlife, and assuring that the landscape stays wild and unfragmented. A mineral withdrawal will help us meet these goals for the Smith River watershed, which is exactly why Montana businesses are stepping up in support. A mineral withdrawal would prohibit mining on federal lands, but allow for traditional economic uses, such as grazing and recreation, to continue.
If you’re a Montana business owner, or know someone who is and may support a mineral withdrawal, reach out to Derf Johnson at djohnson@meic.org. For now, we are just building a long list of businesses in support, but in the future there may be additional opportunities to speak up in favor of protecting the Smith through a mineral withdrawal of federal lands.
See current business supporters online at: www.smithrivercoalition.com/businesses
This article was published in the October 2024 issue of Down To Earth.
