Controversial Bitterroot Mine Still on Federal List

A controversial mine proposal in the Upper Bitterroot Watershed is still on the federal government's "FAST-41" dashboard, even though hundreds of people, Ravalli County commissioners, and Montana's delegation have asked for the plan to be removed.

Hundreds blasted the Sheep Creek Project during a hearing in Hamilton last week, saying the proposed rare earth elements mine has no place on the headwaters of the Bitterroot. Senators Daines and Sheehy, and Representative Ryan Zinke, also called for the project's removal.

But, as of yesterday, Sheep Creek is still listed on the FAST-41 dashboard, showing steps such as Forest Service approval of a plan of operations, and an Environmental Assessment starting in the spring.

     ⚒️ U.S. Critical Materials says federal agencies recommended Sheep Creek be on the list on the "Transparency Projects" dashboard so people can track the mine's permitting.

READ MORE: Bitterroot Rocked by Montana Mine Proposal

Big winds blasting Montana

It's another day of punishing winds across much of Montana, although gusts have dropped somewhat from Monday, when a number of locations reported "hurricane force" gusts, above that 75-mile-per-hour threshold.

The Deep Creek weather station on the Front recorded one gust of 101 miles per hour yesterday and 80 miles per hour this morning. Big Timber recorded a gust of 97 miles per hour earlier this morning, with multiple locations reporting gusts over 80 and sustained wind speeds above 45 miles per hour.

     🚛 Severe winds were still forcing trucks to detour off I-90 through Livingston at midday.

Elsewhere, it's the constant rain, although the heaviest rain has been over Central Idaho. Snow levels are rising to as high as 7 to 8 thousand feet, with more rain forecast tonight, into Thursday, before cold, Arctic air pushes into the east.

Authorities investigating double murder in Stillwater County

A 23-year-old man is facing two counts of deliberate homicide and two counts of attempted deliberate homicide after yesterday's shooting during an assault in Stillwater County.

Sheriff Charles Kern says deputies discovered four people with gunshot wounds when they arrived on scene on Stillwater River Road early Monday morning. One victim was already dead, and a second died later at the hospital, where the two remaining victims are also being treated.

Kern says the suspect, Ty Allen Turney, was located and arrested a couple of hours later. The case is still being investigated, so we don't know all the details behind the confrontation.

More poaching problems

More poaching problems for Montana FWP game wardens, who are looking for information on who killed a couple of elk and left them to waste on private property south of Philipsburg.

They believe the cow and spike were killed on November 29th, with the shooter walking with a few yards of one of the animals. Residents are asked to call FWP with info, or report to the "tipmont" website to file a report.