Resilient Communities

Montana, and indeed the entire West, is in transition.  On one hand economic growth outstrips all expectations in many of Montana’s “urban” counties while many of the state’s rural counties languish. All counties along the economic and social spectrum face challenges to their infrastructure and schools, housing and healthcare, traditional values and future expectations. Core rural values are at stake as an increasing number of people unfamiliar with agriculture and resource extraction, like mining and timber, and a growing recreational interest threaten rural economies and cultures. 1MT is responding to these trends and working with communities providing guidance around preserving core rural values while adapting to new economic and cultural realities.

1MT has been working closely with the community of White Sulphur Springs in an ongoing community resiliency project since 2018. The Black Butte Copper Mine is in the final permitting stages and if/when the mine is in operation, it will have a significant impact on the county and watershed. 1MT has played the lead role in developing and organizing the Meagher County Stewardship Council (MCSC) to “watchdog” the mine’s operation to ensure a healthy and vibrant watershed and community both before and after the mine’s operation. With 1MT acting as the major advisor to MCSC, its work, in part, entails the development and implementation of a Community Benefits Agreement much like the Good Neighbor Agreement put in place 18 years ago between the Stillwater River watershed communities and the Stillwater Mine in southcentral Montana. The committee is exploring a variety of ongoing concerns and solutions. Core rural values, a rural community and a pristine environment are at stake both during the mine’s operation and when it is no longer operating.

We are beginning discussions with other communities addressing issues of rural health, renewable energy, education, and potentially other extractive industry issues.

Please also see how we are working to build community resiliency by seeking solutions to the food supply challenges created by the shutdown of the major meat processing facilities here.