FWP: DEQ should analyze mine's effect on water

GREAT FALLS (AP) — The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking state environmental regulators to further study the effects copper exploration would have on two key waterways before granting a company permission to dig a mile-long tunnel.

The Great Falls Tribune reports (http://gftrib.com/1a2Fhn9 ) the comment from FWP was among the more than 4,400 responses the Department of Environmental Quality received after issuing a draft environmental assessment that gave preliminary approval to the central Montana exploration project proposed by Tintina Alaska Exploration.

The project is near Sheep Creek, a tributary to the Smith River. FWP Director Jeff Hagener asked that any permit be required to reduce and mitigate impacts to fish, wildlife and recreational resources.

Some commenters asked the agency for further study while others said they supported the mine and the jobs it would bring to the area.

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