A group of businesses north of Yellowstone National Park has formed a new coalition to fight two proposed gold exploration projects in the area.
"Our fear of the potential pollution is at a very high level."
That’s Colin Davis.
He and his wife own Chico Hot Springs about 30 miles north of the park.
Davis says the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition is a group of about 100 Park County land and business owners opposing both gold projects.
Lucky Minerals wants to explore for gold in Emigrant Gulch in the Custer Gallatin National Forest.
The Crevice Mining Group wants to explore for gold near Jardine.
The companies say the projects would not harm the environment and would create jobs and potentially could pump millions of dollars into the state’s economy.
Colin Davis doesn’t buy it.
"One of the fears is that you’ll bring a social/economic environment similar to the Bakken which is not something this (area) wants and/or needs. If what they bring destroys the economy that already exists which is tourism dependent, tech dependent and agricultural dependent, what are those (mining) jobs worth?"
Davis says the new Gateway Business Council Coalition will ask Montana’s elected officials to oppose these proposed mining projects.
