Clark Fork Coalition

08/25/2026

Have you been thinking about submitting a comment on the Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Proposal, but not sure where to start? Our friends over at the Bitterroot Water Partnership are hosting a public comment writing night tomorrow, 8/26 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm in Stevensville at Blacksmith Brewing Company.

Hey, Stevi ! We're coming to you for Public Comment on Sheep Creek Mine!! See you @ Blacksmith Brewing Company WEDNESDAY 8/26 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm

We'll be there with Wild Montana to get you quality information, encouragement, guidance and tips on how to submit a powerful & personal public comment to the Forest Service about the Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Proposal.

Enjoy a pint from our friends at Blacksmith while you craft your comment!

Learn more at DontPolluteTheRoot.com/Take-Action

08/25/2026

Meet David Pontrelli with Streamside Services, who is joined by a local 🐟👀 inspecting the new wood structures being installed along West Fork Gold Creek in the lower Blackfoot watershed.

08/21/2026

Join Adam down in West Fork Gold Creek as he shares more about the work being done to improve fish habitat in the Lower Blackfoot watershed.

08/20/2026

Catch up with CFC's Restoration Project Manager, Adam Switalski, at one of our stream restoration sites along the West Fork of Gold Creek in the Blackfoot watershed!

08/19/2026

Our CFC Stream Restoration Team has been back at work on Gold Creek! You may remember that last year we were high in the Blackfoot River watershed installing large aquatic organism passage culverts on tributaries of Gold Creek. This summer, we’re continuing that work on the West Fork of Gold Creek, but this time it's a slightly different kind of restoration project.

The West Fork of Gold Creek provides cold, clean water to the lower Blackfoot River and is an important habitat for native westslope cutthroat trout. But past forest management left sections of the creek with far less wood than would naturally be found in a healthy stream, reducing habitat and the complexity these fish need to thrive.

That’s where the logs come in. Lots of them.

The Haskins Excavating crew is also back with us again, this time installing large wood structures using logs and whole trees with root wads still attached. These structures mimic wood that would naturally accumulate in a forested stream, creating pools and slower water, providing cover for fish, and helping reconnect the creek with its floodplain.

It may look a little messy—and that’s the point. A complex creek is a healthy creek.

This project continues our work with The Nature Conservancy in Montana, Bureau of Land Management - Montana/Dakotas, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to restore this important tributary of the Blackfoot River.

08/18/2026

What a gorge-ous day rafting the Alberton Gorge last week with Youth Homes and Montana River Guides! We celebrated the Clark Fork River by learning to read the water, paddling as a team to traverse rapids, birdwatching the abundance of eagles along the corridor, and executing the highly technical flop-and-giggle to help a friend back into the raft. Huge shout-out to Montana River Guides for their expertise in guiding us safely downstream, teaching us about eddies and boils, providing such a joyful experience, and their continued work in bridging the worlds of river recreation and advocacy. Thank you Youth Homes for another wonderful trip- we are so proud to be partners in this annual tradition to get our youth community engaged and stoked about the river!

Trips like this are what place-based, hands-on learning is all about—giving young people the chance to explore the watershed with all their senses and understand the role they can play in protecting it. Our youth education programming is offered free of charge to schools and community organizations like Youth Homes. Help us say yes to more by making a gift today: https://clarkfork.org/?give=GND572D8

08/14/2026

Last week, we had the chance to play in the creek and assess fish habitat with Montana Natural History Center's STEEM (Science, Technology, Environment, Engineering, Math) Camp! These young scientists identified pools, riffles, and runs, conducted a pebble count, and learned about different types of riparian vegetation. The data collection culminated with the creation of charts and graphs to tell a story about fish habitat based on our findings. Thank you to the Montana Natural History Center for collaborating with us in helping to foster the next generation of river stewards!

08/14/2026

The proposed Sheep Creek Mine threatens some of the highest quality waters in the Clark Fork Watershed. Learn how to ensure your voice is heard as the Forest Service considers this project!

There will be a Community Meeting on Tuesday, August 18 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Hamilton Highschool PAC to learn about major concerns with the Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Plan AND to voice your own concerns with this headwaters mine proposal. Check out the Bitterroot Water Partnership page for more information on the meeting and for the latest updates.

Please join the Community Meeting on Tuesday, August 18 to learn about major concerns with the Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Plan AND to voice your own concerns with this headwaters mine proposal.

We are grateful to the Bitterroot National Forest for offering a 30-day public comment period, opening August 14.

🟢 COMMUNITY MEETING 8/18🟢: After a panel presentation highlighting deficiencies in the Exploration Proposal, you can submit your public comment.

🟢 Speakers include Dr. Phil Ramsey, Ravalli County Commissioners, the Bitterroot Water Partnership, and others.

🟢 Your voice matters - and your presence does too. Your participation in the Public Meeting will help show our representatives and US Critical Materials where we stand on this issue.

🟠 The Exploration Plan is currently being reviewed under a 'Categorical Exclusion', the lowest level of review available. We urge the Forest Service to recognize the extraordinary circumstances that warrant this Plan be reviewed with a complete Environmental Assessment.

Subscribe at DontPolluteTheRoot.com for action alerts and guidance during this critical Public Comment Period.



Clark Fork Coalition American Rivers Montana Trout Unlimited