Summer - Northern Plains Resource Council

More documents

Recommendations

Info

$Hydraulic fracturing - Northern Plains Resource Council$

GAINING GROUND Event highlights threat to East Rosebud Creek Members of Stillwater Protective Association (SPA) made some new friends and delivered an important message as they co-hosted the Celebrate the East Rosebud event on June 30. SPA partnered with the East Rosebud Lake Association (ERLA), American Rivers, and the Black Butte Homeowners Association to build community support for protecting East Rosebud Creek from hydroelectric development. The day-long event kicked off with bird-watching and wildflower tours, highlighting the amazing diversity of life at East Rosebud in its currently non-industrialized state. More than 200 guests attended the barbecue potluck and presentation on the proposed development. Speakers from the U.S. Forest Service; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; American Rivers; Northern Plains Resource Council, and area property owners Dayle Hayes and Frank Annighofer all raised concerns about having a dam on the creek. Plant and fish life would be threatened, and the area surrounding the creek would be forced to support new infrastructure including a 42-inch penstock, power lines, and a generating plant. “ERLA members were delighted that so many of our friends and neighbors came together to celebrate on June 30,” said Hayes, East Rosebud Lake Many of the 200 area residents and concerned citizens listen to speakers at the East Rosebud Lake Lodge on June 30. The Celebrate the East Rosebud event raised awareness of potential damage to East Rosebud Creek if a hydro-electric project is built and diverts the stream's water. Many want the waterway designated as Wild and Scenic. Association President. “We look forward to working with many groups and individuals to prevent unnecessary and inappropriate development in the East Rosebud watershed. We know that it will take many organizations to preserve and protect this unique valley." Bozeman-based company Hydrodynamics still plans to build its project on the East Rosebud. If the dam is built, the stream will lose its eligibility for federal Wild and SPA sponsors forum in Columbus on coal exports, trains The Rev. John Sellers talks to Stillwater County residents about potential problems with an increase in coal trains through Columbus if coal ports in Oregon and Washington are built to move Montana and Wyoming coal to China and other Asian markets. The Plains Truth Summer 2012 Page 14 Scenic designation, for which it is currently deemed eligible by the U.S. Forest Service. Wild and Scenic designation would ensure that the East Rosebud’s free flow and its scenic and recreational values would be preserved. In Montana, just two rivers – the Flathead and the Missouri – have been designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. By the end of the day, attendees had submitted nearly 200 postcards to the owner of Hydrodynamics, asking for the company to either Stillwater Protective Association sponsored the fifth Northern Plains coal export forum in Columbus in June. The coal export plans would mean at least an additional 40 trains every day coming through town – each more than a mile long. The Rev. John Sellers, pastor of Columbus Congregational Church, was moderator for the panel and gave a brief presentation on the background of coal export and pending export proposals. Community members also heard from Mayor Gary Wolterman, realtor Joyce Kelley, and landowner Gordon Williams, all of whom have property in close withdraw its permit or let it expire before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. SPA will continue to pressure the company to re-think the project, while also considering a campaign to have the East Rosebud recognized – officially – as a Wild and Scenic River. Northern Plains is supportive of hydropower development on existing impoundments, but not existing freeflowing waterways. – Caleb Lande, Page Atcheson proximity to the train tracks. All three expressed particular concern over the noise additional trains would bring. Community members raised questions about the potential costs of mitigating the effects of heavy train traffic, such as implementing a quiet zone or building an overpass. Sellers encouraged the audience to voice their concerns – whether on noise, safety, cost, or health – to the Stillwater County Commission, and suggested pushing for inclusion in an area-wide Environmental Impact Statement, which would include public hearings. – Page Atcheson
council roundup GNA members study long-awaited report After 10 years of work, the U.S. Forest Service and Montana DEQ finally released a final version of a single document encompassing the Stillwater Mining Company Revised Water Management Plans and the Environmental Impact Statement for the Boe Ranch Land Application Disposal project. Northern Plains and affiliates Stillwater Protective Association and Cottonwood Resource Council actively participated in the development of the document, and members are glad to see it completed. Next steps include a 45-day appeal period (no appeals are expected), the issuance of a final Record of Decision, and the release of an updated reclamation bond amount for SMC. The East Boulder Oversight Committee continues to work with SMC and the State toward minimizing the potential impact of nitrogen on the East Boulder River. Stillwater Oversight Committee members have been participating, both on-the-ground and in various meetings to ensure that Stillwater Mining’s proposed exploratory developments in the Benbow area have the smallest possible impact on water quality and on area residents. – Caleb Lande CCRC acts to protect water, reduce waste Carbon County Resource Council conducted another round of outreach with information about gathering baseline water data for landowners living downstream from the proposed gravel pit on the West Bench outside of Red Lodge. This baseline data is essential for individuals looking to protect their water rights if they are affected by future mining. CCRC was also involved in an E-Waste recycling event in Red Lodge, helping provide an opportunity for Carbon County residents to bring hazardous electronic products in for recycling, saving them from potentially polluting land and water in landfills. – Svein Newman YOUNG SPROUTS: Before summer vacation, students at Lockwood School plant a square-foot garden they designed and made on the school grounds. The project was inspired by Yellowstone Valley Citizen Council's Garden in the Schools program. YVCC moves forward on local foods club Along with the Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council’s work on coal export, members have remained active on other fronts as well. YVCC’s revamped Food Buying Club had its first drop on June 16. With over 30 participating families, the drop generated roughly $3,400 dollars for a dozen participating Montana producers. On June 28, the new Parmly Billings Library held its groundbreaking ceremony. YVCC worked to ensure that, when the building is completed, it will be a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold high-performance green building. – Svein Newman FoodCorps member speaks at DRC event Nearly 40 members attended Dawson Resource Council’s annual meeting at Dena and Alvin Hoffs’ riverside cabin on the bank of the Yellowstone near Glendive on June 17. Along with the traditional potluck and pie contest, Anne McHale (a FoodCorps member living in Glendive) spoke of her work to integrate local food production and preparation into the curriculum of farm-to-school program. At the DRC meeting July 19, members began making plans for the fall fundraiser, the Lindsay Benefit. Beartooth Alliance get-together nears With summer returning to the high country, Beartooth Alliance plans to host a series of events to celebrate the unique mountain communities of Cooke City and Silver Gate. Most notably, BA’s annual meeting will be held on August 9, beginning at 7 p.m. Once again, the event will take place at the Range Rider Lodge in Silver Gate and will feature a guest speaker in addition to the regular business meeting. Mary Beth Marks, a geologist with the Gallatin National Forest, will provide updates and reports regarding the current status of the New World District reclamation projects. For more information about BA’s summer events, email clayton@ northernplains.org. Like us on Facebook – Kelsey Miller – Clayton Elliott CRC picnic features reading by author Cottonwood Resource Council will host its annual summer picnic August 11 at 5 p.m. at Cindy and Ed Webber’s place, 11.4 miles south of Big Timber on the Boulder Road. Everyone is welcome! We will have a silent auction, great food prepared by member Susan Pauli, and a reading from member William “Gatz” Hjortsberg from his newest book, Jubilee Hitchhiker: The Life and Times of Richard Brautigan. Bring a friend and a silent auction item, and we will see you there. – Becca Fischer Bear Creek Council eyes new campaigns Bear Creek Council members enjoyed each other’s company at a potluck earlier this summer. They then reconvened for some longterm strategic planning, discussing the value of a campaign on energy efficiency in addition to BCC’s traditional attention to wildlife work. Bear Creek Council members look forward to bringing in new members and chalking up some victories! – Olivia Stockman SGCC turns focus on internal structures Sleeping Giant is moving forward with plans to adopt a committee structure this month, providing additional leadership opportunities for members and sharpening the focus on each issue campaign. This month, members will use the strategic planning process to continue to refine their new structure. – Clayton Elliott If you use Facebook, type “Northern Plains Resource Council” into your search box and pay us a visit. Better yet, “Like” us! We promise not to flood you with constant posts, but we will post useful information and ways for you to make a difference. And maybe we’ll pass along something just for fun once in a while. Enjoying this issue of The Plains Truth? Don’t toss it, share it with friends and tell them it’s one of the benefi ts of being a member of Northern Plains. The Plains Truth Summer 2012 Page 15
Page 1 and 2: For 40 Years Protecting Montana’s
Page 3 and 4: people of the plains Commitment to
Page 5 and 6: What would you do if 40-50 addition
Page 7 and 8: land and water Momentum builds for
Page 9 and 10: ng montana’s future es mining pol
Page 11 and 12: 2012 Election Vote No on Referendu
Page 13: Much work remains on Farm Bill: Big

Summer - Northern Plains Resource Council

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?