Gold Project Draws Attention in Montana’s Blackfoot Valley

Less than a decade after tens of millions of dollars were spent cleaning up mine waste at the headwaters of the Blackfoot River, a new proposal for exploratory gold mining is already causing concern.

Montana environmental groups began spreading the word about the "Columbia Gold Project" on social media last week. Australian-based Sentinel Metals, doing business as Great Plains Mining, is seeking permission from the state to do more exploratory drilling at the site near Lincoln. Montana DEQ is taking comments through April 6th.

     📑 DEQ says the document is a "decision document", but is pulling together a list of the possible impacts.

Winds will whip fire danger

Montana DNRC is reporting firefighters have just about wrapped up work on those two fires in Central Montana, which started when debris burns got out of control in the high winds.

The Ordway Fire, which forced some evacuations northeast of Craig in Lewis & Clark County, is now 85% contained, after burning 185 acres.

The Rattlesnake Fire, which burned 47 acres off the freeway at Gates of the Mountains is now completely contained, but mop-up operations will continue.

     🔥 Fire departments are also bracing for more fire weather tomorrow, especially around Livingston and Big Timber, north to Harlowton.

Missoula gives more details on housing project

Missoula leaders say they've put together a plan to redevelop the North MRL site in Midtown Missoula, resulting in a mix of more than 200 housing units. 192 of those would be "deed-restricted" affordable units.

As we reported last week, the project came together quickly, providing some direction for the site between North Avenue and Montana Rail Link Park.

But the project depends on completing a quick application for funding before it expires in a few weeks.

City funds needed to restore Kalispell mall

The company that plans to renovate and rework the Kalispell Center Mall is saying they will be seeking tax increment financing from the city to complete the project, which is estimated to cost upwards of $27-million.

The Daily Interlake reports Dallas-based SHOP Companies will ask for $23 million in TIF funds to pay for portions of the reconstruction.