Protecting water quality for everyone downstream.

If permitted, the Rock Creek Mine could be disastrous for bull trout habitat in the lower Clark Fork River drainage as well as for Lake Pend Oreille, itself. It will also impact the region’s groundwater aquifer. As evidence, look no further than Revett’s adit construction plan, which will dump tons of sediment into Rock Creek without undergoing an appropriate environmental analysis and securing a pollution discharge permit. Rock Creek Alliance and a coalition of like-minded groups are challenging the agencies’ approval of the plan in court.

The Water Quality Suit

Bull trout require clean, clear, cold water to spawn and thrive. During the 5 – 7 year construction phase of the project, the Rock Creek Mine would introduce 400 – 1400 tons of additional sediment per year to a stream already impaired by sediment. This significant impact to the habitat of a threatened species should require a more detailed waste water discharge permit (MPDES permit) from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The state has instead opted to issue a broader general permit without the limits and protections of an MPDES permit. A general permit is not applicable because of the impacts, location, type, and volume of the discharge.

The Status

This case requesting that MDEQ require an MPDES permit for the discharge, will be heard in Montana State District Court, Lewis and Clark County, Helena, Montana. No court date has yet been set.

> Review the Suit (pdf)