Beartooth Alliance
a brief history
In 1989, individuals in the Cooke City Area were informed that Crown Butte/Noranda Mines (a Canadian Company) had applied for a permit to mine in the New World District.

The individuals formed the Hard Rock Mining Impact Committee in 1990 and in 1992 they were organized as an affiliate of the Northern Plains Resource Council and became Beartooth Alliance.

It was determined that this mine would be a threat to Yellowstone National Park and the 3 major streams that are the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, which flows into the Park. Responding to the public outcry, the Clinton Administration and Congress approved a buyout of the New World Mine.

Beartooth Aliance has continued to work with the agencies to follow up on the reclamation of the area, made possible by the $20 million allocated to the Forest Service for the clean up of the historic mine waste in the area.

The buyout did not include the removal of the McLaren Mill Site and Tailings and Beartooth Alliaance has continued the effort to do so.

Beartooth Alliance continues to seek membership world wide and invites the public to a yearly fundraiser held the last Saturday in July.
Accomplishments
Since forming in 1989, Beartooth alliance has made substantial gains in our efforts to protect and enhance our natural resources. We have:
• Initiated successful efforts to stop a proposed gold mine near Yellowstone National Park.
• Monitored the reclamation and clean up of toxic mine waste in the New World Mining district near Cooke City.
• Initiated efforts to clean up additional toxic mine waste straddling Soda Butte Creek, which flows directly into Yellowstone National Park.
• Sponsored programs on local environmental issues and natural history.
• Advocated the responsible uses of off-highway vehicles (OHB's) and snowmobiles to minimize impacts on the environment.
• Influenced modification of the Beartooth Scenic Byway to maintain the highways aesthetic appearance and protect wildlife.
• Initiated a program to eradicate noxious weeds in this gateway area of Yellowstone National Park.