We were founded in 1988 by citizens concerned about the impending impact of hard-rock mining (including the East Boulder Mine) and other large-scale development in Sweet Grass County.
Accomplishments
- Participation in negotiation and enforcement of the ground-breaking Good Neighbor Agreement with Stillwater Mining Company;
- Participation in defending the Hard Rock Mining Impact Act against efforts to weaken it so that local communities will not bear the costs of sudden growth from new mines;
- Keeping the community informed about East Boulder Mine issues through articles, panel discussions, and public forums;
- Protecting water quality in Sweet Grass County;
- Participation in efforts to reform the 1872 Mining Law, with several members going to Washington, D.C. to testify in the past;
- Worked on better regional planning, including promoting the idea of hiring a county planner; held informational public presentations on examinations of our master plan; worked tirelessly on the master plan;
- Served as watchdog on the local Lodestar Gold mine and worked with government agencies to hold the mine and mill site accountable to existing laws.
Good Neighbor Agreement
Since helping to negotiate the Good Neighbor Agreement with the Stillwater Mine in 2000, Cottonwood Resource Council members have worked to protect the Boulder River Valley by keeping mine traffic low, water quality pristine, and mine operations out of the valley.
Local Food
Cottonwood Resource Council believes that local food is good for our health and the Big Timber community. CRC members are working to make Montana stronger by supporting producers and eating our uniquely healthy and tasty local food.
Leadership
Chair
Teri Schlabach
Vice-Chair
Betsy Baxter
Secretary
Lisa Wagner
Treasurer
Michael Drye
Good Neighbor Agreement Representatives
Jerry Iverson
Paul Hawks
Betsy Baxter
Northern Plains Board Representative
Charlie French
Community Organizer
Caroline Canarios
caroline@northernplains.org
