BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
Hi, you're receiving this email because either you are a member of Bitterroot Trout Unlimited or you have expressed an interest in BRTU. Don't forget to add drtrout@mtbloom.net to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! We make very effort to make sure this list is current. If you are receiving it by mistake, please let us know right away! Please feel free to forward on to friends and have them contact me if they would like to receive the BRTU E-News.
Permission is herein granted to forward or to use the content and photos in this newsletter. A credit would be appreciated. The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the publisher and may not represent those of BRTU or others featured in the newsletter.
You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.
#282: Mar. 12, 2023
|
|
Battle against Pebble Creek Mine featured at Thursday's BRTU meeting. |
|
Location of the proposed Pebble Creek Mine. Source: TU.org. |
|
Fishing during the salmon run in the Pebble Creek drainage. Source: Peter Van Tuyn. |
|
A final reminder that Thursday's BRTU meeting will feature a presentation by Peter Van Tuyn chronicling the Pebble Mine and its current demise, which recently became the most significant conservation victory of the present century. The title of Peter's talk is Bristol Bay Alaska: Where Wild Salmon are Gold.
The Pebble Mine was a major priority of Trout Unlimited for over a decade. This proposed goldmine in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, Alaska would have waxed the the most prolific wild sockeye salmon fishery in the world, 20,000 fishing jobs, a fish-based economy worth north of $1.5 billion, and vital Alaska native culture and traditions. The project is now off the books - at least for the present.
An astounding 80 million sockeye salmon returned to Bristol Bay Alaska’s pristine waters last year. This is 20 million more than the number of individuals of all Pacific salmon species that historically returned to Washington, Oregon, and California before rivers there were dammed.
Long-time Alaska environmental lawyer and now Bitterroot Valley resident Peter Van Tuyn will talk about what makes Bristol Bay such a successful salmon factory, the risk posed to those salmon by the proposal to develop the massive Pebble mine in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, and how Bristol Bay’s residents, with critical support from Trout Unlimited and others, finally secured Clean Water Act protections this year that effectively block that mine.
Peter's talk will begin at 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 16 at the Hamilton Elk's Club, 203 State Street.
The public is invited to attend and there is no charge for admission.
Plan on coming down early for personality adjustment because starting at 6:15, the Elks will be serving their excellent grilled brats and beer. The brats are steamed in beer before being grilled! Just $10 for a brat and a beer.
|
|
Rare earth mine on the West Fork: another snake oil mining project! |
|
A map delineating the West Fork Road (#473) above Painted Rocks Lake and Horse Creek Pass on the Idaho border. Sheep Creek is a small drainage off this extreme upper end of the West Fork, approximately at the sign SE SW Section 3 Mine. Painted Rocks Lake would be a bit north of Alta and Hughes Creek. Source: Mapcarta.
|
|
The chapters of Montana and western US history are replete with an assortment of snake oil salesmen, promising riches for everybody. But there is one set of snake oil purveyors that stand out in particular illumination. The hard rock mining industry. The legacy of broken promises, abandoned reclamation, and environmental destruction of the hard rock mining industry is unmatched.
Thus, appropriate trepidation greeted the announcement by the Utah based US Critical Materials, Corporation that its holdings in the Sheep Creek drainage of the upper upper West Fork contained a mother lode of rare earth metals. Word broke first in the mining news, but was soon picked up by the local media. The company claims that this is the highest-grade deposit of this stuff in the US. According to the company's website: "We have confirmed that Sheep Creek is the highest-grade rare-earth deposit in the United States, with a multibillion-dollar resource value,” stated Jim Hedrick, US Critical Materials President, and former rare-earth Commodity Specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
US Critical Materials has nearly nine percent, 9 % TREO (89,932ppm), far ahead of any other domestic rare earth resource. The deposit also has readings of 2.4% (23,810ppm) combined neodymium and praseodymium, which are both essential for the green economy. US Critical Materials has recently confirmed carbonatite mineralization at depth, below high-grade surface samples of 17.05% TREO and 16.44% TREO. The Sheep Creek, Montana, property under claim by US Critical Materials totals seven (7) square miles.
"US Critical Materials’ goal is to supply consumers, industry, and the U.S. Government with the critical minerals required to meet technology, manufacturing, and defense needs, with the overall objective of addressing the necessity to obtain rare earth materials from “friendly” sources as defined by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The United States is over ninety percent (90%) import-dependent on rare earths, most coming from China.
The Sheep Creek claims contain twelve (12) of the most essential critical minerals needed for the world’s evolution toward electrification and a “green economy.” In addition to their high rare earth levels, the claims are particularly low in radioactive thorium, thereby shortening the permitting process.
"US Critical Materials is currently working with a major national laboratory to develop highly efficient, environmentally safe processes for domestically refining the rare earths found at Sheep Creek. The unique aspects of the Sheep Creek deposit will enable the Company to make the resource available for production and delivery on an expedited basis.
"The Company is currently assessing its next steps, including financing and business development opportunities, for its Sheep Creek holdings."
Obviously, in spite of the claims in the company's statement, a hard rock mine in this location poses a telephone book worth of threats to the West Fork and its residents, including haul trucks, construction traffic, water pollution, mine waste and other forms of environmental harm.
Montana TU Executive Director David Brooks stated:
“Montanans are well aware of the state’s mining legacy, both the good and the bad. Any new proposal to mine, including a possible open pit in the headwaters of the Bitterroot River will draw close and warranted attention. Along with our fellow Montanans, we will be watching and evaluating any proposal to explore or mine that could impact trout waters. We understand the need for critical minerals in 21st century society. We also understand the timeless need for clean water and a healthy environment.
"Unfortunately, our 150-year old federal mining law is insufficient to responsibly manage a new mining boom driven by critical minerals. Clean water and mining need not be mutually exclusive, but we need to modernize our mining laws to ensure the responsible use of our public lands moving forward.”
BRTU and Montana TU, along with our partners, are tracking this issue and we will provide updates and Action Alerts as things develop. Cross you fingers this snake bites its charmers!
|
|
2023 Bitterroot Buggers - helpers needed for Tuesday's tying class. |
|
The 2023 Bugger class pays rapt attention as Joe Byrne delivers instructions. Source for all photos: Marshall Bloom. |
|
Two Buggers get down to work on their flies. |
|
BRTU member Bob Miller and another volunteer assist two Buggers as they begin to develop proper tying techniques. |
|
Buggers gather round anxiously as Greg Chester faces the daunting task of selecting the best fly. |
|
The third flytying class for the 2023 Bitterroot Buggers will be Tuesday, March 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Hamilton Middle School Keystone Enrichment Center. The entrance is on Madison Street between 5th and 6th Streets. Look for the blue door with the yellow flower.
The success of this program depends on volunteer helpers - like you. If you doubt that, just check out the photos from this year. It is not necessary to be a flytier in order to help with these classes. Please consider signing up to assist with the very worthwhile program. Contact Joe Byrne or Greg Chester.
The flyting and casting classes start at 6:30. The schedule for this week and subsequent classes follows:
-
Tuesday, March 14 (Gold-ribbed Hare's Ear),
-
Tuesday, March 21st (X-Caddis),
- SPRING BREAK,
-
Tuesday, April 4th (Parachute Adams),
- Tuesday, April 11 (Casting instructions).
- The Buggers Fishing Trip and picnic have yet to be scheduled.
All tying classes begin with a video demonstration of the particular fly being tackled. Then the students and volunteers head to the vices to put the lesson into practice. At the end of each class, flies are entered into a competition judged by an expert tier.
Each Bugger has received a manual with all of the fly patterns, and links to the on-line videos. Quality tools and materials may be purchased for a very nominal cost, or borrowed during the class. Rod and reel outfits are also available for purchase below cost. For information on purchasing, please contact Joe Byrne or Greg Chester.
|
|
2023 licenses available now.
March 1 was the first day to buy a 2023 fishing license. It’s a good idea to get your license early and you can the whole thing on line now!
You can buy licenses now on the MFWP website. Of course, you can still pick your license up from a local flyshop or sporting goods store, and MFWP regional offices will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Once you snag your license, you can use the MyFWP mobile app to access, download, hold and display licenses. Once you’ve downloaded your license, you can access it in the field without cell service in the event you get checked by the warden.
If you don't have a MyFWP account, you can set one up through the MyFWP login page. You have to to link your ALS number (on your current license) to your MyFWP account so that your licenses are attached to your MyFWP account.
|
|
This issue's Picture of the Week was submitted by Kevin Frank, who also submitted this week's BRTU Puzzler.
Kevin's stunning photo is of 2 salmon flies. It wont be too long before the nymphs of these gargantuan stoneflies start waking up on area rivers.
Kevin noted "Everyone has an affinity for salmon flies, these 2 thought my fly reel was an appropriate location to pursue a burgeoning romance. "
Please send me any fishing or conservation related photos to be considered for the "Picture of the Week." Make sure that the files are less than 5 mB in size. Note that in most cases I plan to not to use "grip and grin" photos, but rather pictures of fish in the water or net.
|
|
This week's BRTU Puzzler was submitted by Kevin Frank, a newsletter subscriber who hails from Indiana.
The Puzzle is to identify the fish. Kevin sent along a hint, too. "The fish is typically sterile & sometimes used by fisheries managers to control runaway shad populations in man made impoundments."
The winning entry will identify the provenance of this fish and how it is used in management.
The BRTU Puzzler now has a new sponsor - Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton. Chapter One is offering a $10 gift card to each winner but it must be picked up in person. The book store is a long time BRTU supporter and has an unbelievable inventory of books and magazines. If Chapter One doesn't have the tome you want, they can get it in a jiffy. Shouldn't we be patronizing local small independents rather than big online giants?
John can collect his gift card by stopping in at the book store.
If you have a cool fishing, outdoor activity, or conservation related photo, consider submitting it to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom for the BRTU Puzzler. BRTU E-News will no longer publish grip and grin photos of native fish out of water but will highlight photos of actual fish in the water.
|
Monte Dolack BRTU prints
now available at Joe's Studio.
A very few Publisher's Proofs of the limited edition "Bitterroot River-Lost Horse Bend" by Monte Dolack are still available at Joe's Studio. BRTU commissioned Monte Dolack in 2007 to create this iconic print of the Bitterroot River.
The remaining Publisher's Proofs are $375 and all proceeds support BRTU efforts to protect trout and streams.
Joe's Studio, a regular BRTU sponsor, is located in Hamilton at 220 Marcus Street (961-4586, joesstudio@aol.com)
The "U" in BRTU
Unlike many groups, BTRU has no paid staff. We are an entirely volunteer organization. We are always looking for new members to get involved in projects or to join our board and assist with maintaining our focus on native fish, clean healthy streams and education. If you would like to help out, please contact BRTU Chapter President Dave Ward. We could sure use your help!
In other words, how about putting a little "U" in BRTU?
If "U" are not already a member, "U" can join TU today by going to the the BRTU website. chapter number is #080. If you have a question about your membership, please call the Montana TU office at 406-543-0054.
The BRTU Mission statement is "To conserve, protect, and restore the Bitterroot River and it's watershed," directly in line with the Montana TU mission statement.
For your information, here is a tabulation of our current hard-working BRTU officers and board members.
BOARD OFFICERS
Donna Haglund; Vice President; E-mail: haglunddonna@gmail.com
Vacant, Treasurer;
BOARD MEMBERS
Charlie Harris; E-mail: hmgharris@gmail.com
Vacant; (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
|
|
Company Name | Phone | Address | Website |
|
|
|
|
|
|
