Central Montana’s pristine Smith River has been named among the most-endangered rivers in the nation by environmental advocacy group American Rivers, which cites the threat posed by a Tintina Resources copper mine proposed near one of the river’s tributaries.

American Rivers has ranked the Smith fourth on its annual listing, released today, which is intended to call attention to waterways subject to upcoming decisions about their fates.

Tintina, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, has proposed an underground copper mine and associated tailings facility on private land adjacent to Sheep Creek, at a site approximately 20 miles north of White Sulphur Springs.

In a preliminary economic assessment, the company estimates the Black Butte Copper Project would last 11 years and employ about 175 people, about the same number of workers as are employed by Meagher County’s agricultural sector.

American Rivers and other opponents are concerned that mining activity could result in acid mine drainage, toxic metal leaching and nitrate contamination.

“The State of Montana should not permit the copper mine unless it can be designed in a way that eliminates any risk to the river’s water quality and habitat,” American Rivers wrote in a report accompanying this week’s river listings announcement.

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