Join us on Wednesday, September 30 from 6:00–7:30 PM at the Confluence Center in downtown Missoula for a closer look at three major mining proposals in the Clark Fork River watershed.

Clark Fork Coalition staff will share the latest on each project, including where it stands in the permitting and environmental review processes and what it could mean for nearby rivers, streams, and communities.

Covered projects will include:

• The Sheep Creek Mine Proposal in the headwaters of the West Fork of the Bitterroot River
• The Columbia Gold Mine Exploration Project near two important tributaries of the Upper Blackfoot River
• The proposed Blue Copper Mining Project, a large-scale mineral exploration project on public lands in the Little Blackfoot River watershed west of Helena

Following the project updates, a panel of invited experts will drill into the legal, political, and regulatory landscape, as well as rising demand for critical minerals, and discuss what it takes to ensure mineral exploration and development move forward with the strongest possible protections for clean water, healthy rivers, and surrounding communities. There will also be time for questions and conversation with panelists.

The Clark Fork Coalition’s Water Watchdogs Program offers concerned communities across the watershed a chance to actively shape Montana’s water decisions. Whether you’re new to advocacy or an experienced activist, this program equips you with the tools and knowledge to protect our watersheds and promote positive change.

Come grab a brew, connect with fellow river advocates, and join the conversation. There is no cost to attend, but seating is limited—reserve yours by RSVPing today!

Many thanks to Bitter Root Brewing for donating beverages for this event and to the Headwaters Foundation for the use of the Confluence Center!

This presentation is being recorded by Missoula Community Access Television as part of a Media Assistance Grant donated to our organization by MCAT, and will be live streamed on Facebook.

Panelists:

• Bonnie Gestring served as the northwest program director at Earthworks, a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment against the adverse impacts of mining. She reviewed and commented on proposed mining projects, researched reports on the impacts of hardrock mining, and advocated for better mining policies and practices. Prior to her work at Earthworks, she worked for the Montana Environmental Information Center. In Montana, she was involved in the citizen’s initiative to prohibit cyanide-leach gold mining, and lobbying efforts to secure the “Bad Actor” provision in Montana state law. She retired in 2025.
• Derf Johnson serves as Deputy Director of the Montana Environmental Information Center. Derf is a policy wonk, attorney, and lobbyist. His work focuses on state and federal policy and litigation addressing the climate crisis and fossil fuels, natural resource extraction projects, and protecting water resources. Born and raised in Bozeman, he received his JD from the University of Montana School of Law and has a certificate in Natural Resources Conflict Resolution.
• Sam Carlson works to interpret, evaluate, and expand our scientific understanding of the Clark Fork River as the Clark Fork Coalition’s Staff Scientist. He brings a determination to apply science to conservation challenges, a broad interest in ecology, and a background in water quality, hydrology, and data science. Before joining the CFC, Sam was an Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University, where he worked on investigations of landscape-scale patterns of stream temperature and stream metabolism, examinations of the relationship between streamflow and water quality, and efforts to develop accessible resources for sharing ecological insights and data. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Environmental Science from Montana State University. Outside of work, Sam can most likely be found in a canoe or on a bicycle.