Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Forest Service approves Montana mine exploration amid government shutdown
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Friday, October 10, 2025
The Cabinet Mountains near Libby, Montana. USDA NRCS Montana ([link removed])

As wildfire mitigation and prescribed burns are delayed ([link removed]) amid the government shutdown, the U.S. Forest Service gave final approval ([link removed]) to Hecla Mining Company for the Libby Exploration Project. The approval enables Hecla to begin surveys for silver and copper ore in an old mine shaft 20 miles south of Libby, Montana.

The proposed mining operation ([link removed]) has been in development for decades, and faces ([link removed]) opposition ([link removed]) from environmental groups who worry about the impacts of water pollution, mining activity, and human disturbances to wildlife. The project received an expedited review after the Trump administration added it to the “FAST-41” infrastructure permitting dashboard ([link removed]) .

“This is not an ‘exploration project,’” said Ben Catton ([link removed]) of the Montana Environmental Information Center. “Hecla has been pursuing this ore body for years. They know what’s there, but they also know what’s at stake given that the mine is adjacent to one of our first wilderness areas and a critical stronghold for threatened grizzlies, wolverines, and bull trout. Hecla is trying to get an inch so they can take a mile.”

Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day

Look West will take a break on Monday in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. See you Tuesday!


** Quick hits
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Wildfire in Zion National Park closes some trails and roads

E&E News ([link removed]) | Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | KSL ([link removed]) | National Parks Traveler ([link removed])

Senate Republicans send bill repealing Montana land plan to Trump

E&E News ([link removed])

Endangered ferrets in more jeopardy as government shutdown drags on, wildlife expert warns

CBS News ([link removed])

Barbed wire fences dot the West. There’s a growing movement to take them down

KUNC ([link removed])

Lawmakers seek ethics probe into top offshore oil regulator

Public Domain ([link removed])

Forest Service approves Cabinet Mountains mine exploration

Montana Public Radio ([link removed]) | Montana Free Press ([link removed])

Interior Department unveils controversial agenda aimed at reviving struggling industry: 'Will hurt the American people'

The Cooldown ([link removed])

Opinion: What’s it like to be a cow?

High Country News ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” I don’t see it as a choice between ranching and a gentler world, but rather between ranching and asphalt. A good ranch preserves land for untold umwelts. I feel lucky to be surrounded by cattle and the multitude of life in these fields: the porcupine trundling through alfalfa, the sandhill cranes leaving prints across the muddy banks.”

—Darby Minow Smith, Montana cattle rancher, High Country News ([link removed])


** Picture This
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[link removed]

@deadhorsepoint ([link removed])
Dead Horse Point State Park is home to many beautiful overlooks! Many come to visit our famous overlook at Dead Horse Point. But today I wanted to highlight an overlook more frequently... overlooked! Bighorn! Bighorn Overlook is a 3.2 mile hike from our visitor center and has stunning views all the way down the trail. Next time you visit, consider taking a hike to Bighorn Overlook.

Post by Ranger Ozzie

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