US Critical Materials Seeks Bare Minimum Evaluation for their Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Plan
The Bitterroot National Forest is initiating review of the Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Plan under a Categorical Exclusion (CE), the lowest…
Updates
Stay Informed:
What’s Happening Now
This is where you’ll find deeper details on the proposed Sheep Creek mine, community and expert perspectives, and relevant news coverage.
Blog
Forest Service Must Require Environmental Assessment for Sheep Creek Mine Exploration
What happened: On July 1, 2026 The Forest Service released a new Plan of Operations from US Critical Materials (USCM) for…
Montana can lead recovery of rare earth elements and critical minerals without sacrificing the Bitterroot
By David Brooks, Montana Trout Unlimited and Dr. Phil Ramsey, MPG Ranch — Minerals and metals are part of…
Sheep Creek Mine: 40 new jobs aren‘t worth risking a Clean River Economy
By Eddie Olwell, of Stevensville, is owner of Fishs Eddy O. Outfitters US Critical Materials, the company seeking to develop a rare…
News and Media:
- 2026 | August 21
Ravalli Republic Article - 2026 | August 21
Ravalli Republic Article - 2026 | August 21
Hundreds attend meeting opposing Bitterroot mining project - 2026 | July 29
Ravalli County mining project remains on the fast track amid wide-ranging opposition - 2026 | July 29
DEQ rejects request from US Critical Materials for exemption from state law - 2026 | July 29
Sheep Creek mine operators wanted exemption from DEQ review; DEQ denies request - 2026 | July 17
Sheep Creek flyover turns heads - 2026 | July 9
Sheep Creek mine update calls for 2,200 helicopter flights in first season - 2026 | July 7
Conservation groups and community leaders check out Sheep Creek Project site from the sky - 2026 | June 30
Proposed mine still a major concern for the Bitterroot River - 2026 | May 6
Political candidates pitch ideas for impeding controversial Sheep Creek mine, saving Bitterroot - 2026 | Mar 27
Exploration plan for Bitterroot rare-earth mining project to be revised - 2026 | Feb 18
Mining company to amend Sheep Creek plan - 2026 | Feb 03
Sheep Creek Mine Statement from Rep. David Bedey, HD 86, Hamilton - 2025 | Dec 23
Trust, transparency, and the facts about Sheep Creek – Statement from USCM - 2025 | Dec 03
Sheehy, Daines and Zinke call for slowdown on Sheep Creek mine - 2025 | Dec 02
Sheep Creek mine exploration in Bitterroot draws opposition
Videos
Dr. Phil Ramsey and Tony Hudson discuss concerns with the Sheep Creek Mining Proposal and more viable alternatives for extracting rare earth materials.
Panelists discuss deficiencies with the 2026 Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Proposal, preparing residents to submit informed and meaningful public comments to the Forest Service.
Other Resources & Publications
- Due Diligence Check on Economic Viability of Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Plan (Ravalli County Economic Development Authority)
- 1960 Montana School of Mines – Rare Earth Deposits at Sheep Creek
- Public Comments on the Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Proposal
- Statement of Opposition to Sheep Creek Exploration Proposal from Ravalli County Commissioners | August 2026
- Summary of Deficiencies – Plan of Operations for Exploration | 2026 July 07
- US Critical Materials Current Draft Plan of Operations | 2026 July 01
- Find more details on the US Forest Service Page
- US Critical Materials Initial Draft Plan of Operations | 2025 Dec 05
- Letter from Ravalli County Commissioners Opposing Fast-Track of Sheep Creek Mine Permitting | 2025 Dec 02
- Statement from Bitterroot Water Partnership, Ravalli County Commission Public Meeting | 2025 Dec 01