Don’t Let a Mine Jeopardize Our Waters and Our Ways of Life
The Bitterroot is at Risk | Sheep Creek Mine Watch
A potential Rare Earth element mine in the Headwaters of the Bitterroot River threatens to pollute our clean waters, harm working lands, and degrade iconic wildlife habitat.
Our Approach
The Bitterroot Water Partnership is laying the groundwork to ensure our community can effectively prevent a ill-placed, polluting mine at Sheep Creek. We are committed to staying informed and keeping you updated, so together we can coordinate a strong, effective defense of our waters.
For over 30 years, the Water Partnership has worked for clean, abundant water and healthy habitats in the Bitterroot Valley. Today, that mission has never been more urgent. While a Rare Earth mine is being championed in Washington, D.C., it is we in the Bitterroot who must lead the charge to stop it—because no one knows, loves, and depends on this place like we do.
We know opposing a mine will be a long and complex process. That’s why we must invest now–building the knowledge, strategy, and local stewardship to stand against this threat while strengthening our ability to protect Bitterroot waters long-term.
On behalf of the communities, economies, and values we represent, BWP strongly opposes the development of a Rare Earth mine at the headwaters of the Bitterroot River.
Background
Since 2022, US Critical Materials has sampled Sheep Creek lands for rare earth elements (REE). They claim high concentrations and intent to develop the mine (1, 2). REE mining typically involves strong acids and produces toxic byproducts that are discharged to tailing ponds, which can endure for decades and often leak toxic water (3).
REE Mines and their managing companies have a track record of harming communities and degrading environments; “irrevocably [changing] the lifestyles of residents” by leaving permanent acidic waste and other pollutants in drinking and natural waters (3), among other impacts.
The waters that found our cornerstone economies – recreation, tourism, and agriculture – are already threatened by increasing temperatures, decreased availability and greater extraction. Political and legislative actions like Executive Order 14241 (4) to ‘fast-track’ the permitting process and the $1 billion of Department of Energy funds to advance mining development (5) create a landscape ripe for irresponsibly quick decisions regarding approval of this ill-placed mine.
References: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 –
Why this Matters
A Mine in Bitterroot headwaters
The West Fork is one of the Water Partnership’s top-priority areas for protection and restoration. It delivers clean, cold water and sustains Painted Rocks Reservoir, which supplies critical water for working lands as well as vital stream flow to keep fish and wildlife thriving. In other words, the reservoir supports the health of the entire Bitterroot River system, particularly when flows are lowest. Once degraded by mining, these waters and habitats could never be fully restored—no matter the cleanup funds promised.
The potential REE mine at Sheep Creek is in the worst possible place: in headwaters of our River, and above a major source of water for working lands and wildlife habitat.
We have to stop this before it starts.
How to engage
Protect our Bitterroot River
At this stage, our priority is to help as many people as possible understand the potential impacts of a REE in Bitterroot Headwaters. Then, we can organize and strengthen a community around collective protection of our waters.
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