Bill PfeifferOn December 1st, 650+ Ravalli County residents packed a County Commission meeting with one agenda topic: a rare earth element mine in Sheep Creek, a Bitterroot River headwater. Specifically, the public and Commissioners wanted more information from U.S. Critical Materials (USCM) about its plans and the proposed fast-track permitting process. Montana Trout Unlimited (MTU) has long advocated for the Bitterroot’s prized fishery, and for responsible mining. The Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited helped establish our organization, and both have invested in policy, advocacy, on-the-ground restoration and education to support the Bitterroot and its fishery. Bill Pfeiffer is the outreach coordinator for Montana Trout Unlimited