Gravel Mine Threatens Critical Elk Habitat in Western Montana: Court Hearing Set for April 7th

Photo credit Protect the Clearwater Elk herds are an iconic sight in Western Montana, charming residents and attracting tourists and hunters alike. A Greenough resident spotted this herd on February 13, directly across from the Blackfoot Clearwater Wildlife Management Area, at mile marker 3 on Hwy 83. A stone’s throw from the Clearwater River and Elbow Lake, this is one stop on a westerly migration route used by elk, grizzly bears, grey wolves, and lynx. The area was deemed a critical habitat by individuals at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), the University of Montana, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2010, the FWP acquired 53 acres of land here to preserve as a wildlife migration corridor. The elk in the photo are gathered in the neighboring property, just feet away from the 53-acre purchase. They are standing, in fact, on the site of a newly permitted open cut gravel mine and asphalt plant. Montana DEQ and DNRC approved the permit for LHC Inc. to operate here 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, for 17 years. The permit was granted without conducting a hydrologic study, despite the designation as critical habitat, and without addressing the objections of 100 concerned county officials and private citizens. Protect the Clearwater challenged the permit to the DEQ’s Board of Environmental Review immediately after it was approved. After 22 months, the BER has not ruled on the case. Protect the Clearwater also challenged the permit in court. A temporary restraining order issued in July 2023 by Judge John Larson was immediately appealed by DEQ and LHC. The case is now with the Fourth Judicial District Court of Montana. Monday, April 7, at 1:30 pm is the time of the District Court hearing before the Hon. Leslie Halligan at the Missoula County Courthouse, 200 West Broadway Street. Protect the Clearwater encourages concerned citizens to attend the hearing in support of their constitutional right to a clean environment. About Protect the Clearwater Protect the Clearwater is a grassroots organization formed to advocate for clean water and wildlife protection. It is a 501(c)3 organization. For more information, see https://protecttheclearwatermt.org