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Smith River mine hinges on state water use definition
A Montana court battle over Sandfire Resources Tin tina seeks to define what counts as a water use as the DNRC grants a 114 million gallon annual permit for ore processing at the Smith River site. Total dewatering would reach about 263 million gallons, with 149 million gallons potentially recharging the aquifer after surface storage to meet water quality. Environmental groups say the full amount should be analyzed, arguing dewatering and return to ground constitutes a beneficial use enabling mine operation. Public water rights and seniority rules frame the case as to whether the DNRC can regulate the activity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wen Allan Smith
Missoulian
Montana Supreme Court
Montana Trout Unlimited
Montana
DNBC
Montana Theatre
Montana Environmental Information Center
Earth Works
American Rivers
Montana Dnrc
Tintina
Black Butte
Smith River
State Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Sandfire Resources
DNRC
Trout Unlimited
Earthworks