The mission of High County Citizens’ Alliance is to champion the protection, conservation and preservation of the natural ecosystems within the Upper Gunnison River Basin.

The Upper Gunnison River Basin is an exquisite area, replete with rugged peaks, pastoral valleys, and cool, clear high mountain streams. Since 1977, High Country Citizens' Alliance has been at work protecting these extraordinary natural areas. Conservation is at the root of all we do. Facing challenges large and small, we believe that integrity and cooperation are our best tools, enabling us to resolve many difficult issues over the years. Today, our programs range from preservation of our national forests, rangelands and water resources to land use planning and fostering sustainable communities.

If you are not already a member, you can join or make online donations to HCCA via your credit or bank card by clicking Network for Good link above!

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On Friday, November 21, 2008, The Denver Post featured Crested Butte and Mount Emmons (Red Lady) on the front page.View Full Story

On Tuesday, August 19, 2008 U.S. Energy Corp announced that it had attracted a new mining company to purchase an option to invest in the Lucky Jack Project. The company that has purchased this option is Thompson Creek Metals Company based in Denver, Colorado. Thompson Creek is a moderately sized primary producer of molybdenum that operates open pit molybdenum mines in Idaho and British Columbia as well as a molybdenum roasting facility in Pennsylvania.

High Country Citizens' Alliance is not surprised by this announcement because U.S. Energy Corp has been actively seeking a new investor since Kobex Resources pulled out of the project in March 2008 citing an uncertain regulatory climate and local opposition as reasons why the project was not a sound investment. Fortunately, our opposition to the impacts of a mine on Mt. Emmons and the reasons why mining in this location is not a good idea are still the same. HCCA will continue to fight any proposal for a mine on Mt. Emmons and as with all of the companies who have come and gone in the past we are confident Thompson Creek will decide that an investment in the Lucky Jack Project doesn’t make sense.

Details of the Agreement

You can read press releases from the two companies by clicking here and here , but the details of the arrangement are:

Thompson Creek has paid only $500,000 for the initial option to invest in the project.

The agreement requires only another $6 million of investment over the next six years.

This amount is less than Kobex Resources spent on the project during their short involvement.

The agreement is an “option to buy” that allows Thompson Creek to withdraw from the project at any time, for any reason without a significant financial impact.

The Risks Remain the Same

No matter what company comes to town to look into the prospects of a mine on Mt. Emmons the risks to our water, our tourism and agriculture economy and our environment remain the same.

The historic Keystone Mine has existing Acid Mine Discharge impacts in the Crested Butte Municipal Watershed that require expensive and perpetual treatment. Any new mining runs a significant risk of increasing this pollution and need for treatment.

Any new mine would require widespread disturbance of pristine forest for tailings dumps, pipelines, water reservoirs, and mill sites.

Any mining operation would require truck transport for both construction and operation supplies as well as any produced molybdenum. These trucks could travel through historic downtown
Crested Butte bringing dust, noise and traffic around the clock.

Any new mine would impact the desirability of the entire Gunnison Valley as a destination for tourism and home ownership. The economic effects of such a change could be devastating for a successful tourism destination.

HCCA will be learning more about the role of Thompson Creek in the Lucky Jack Project and will keep you informed of developments as they occur. We urge the Gunnison Valley community to remain unified in its opposition to a molybdenum mine on Mt. Emmons. If you have questions about this news please contact Dan Morse at the HCCA office at (970) 349-7104 or dan@hccaonline.org.

Prayer flags flying with a snowy Mt. Emmons in the background.
(Photo courtesy of Mark Reaman)


Prayer Flags waving
In the wind.
Each one a prayer,
A dream.

Haiku by Bill Smith

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The Red Lady Prayer Flags are available now! Join our efforts to "paint the town red" and show our spirit of opposition to an industrial molybdenum mine on Mount Emmons!

The prayer flags were designed by locals Kent Cowherd, Bob Wojtalik, Lucille Lucas & Sarah Bartow, Angie Carroll and Debby Phelps. Each flag is inscribed with some of the 100-plus prayers submitted by members of the Community. They were printed in Nepal.

Each string of flags consists of five individual flags and is about 43" long. Tie two or more strings together to span a larger area.

Prayer flags are priced to be affordable: one or two strings for $12 each and three or more strings for $10 each. This price includes sales tax, but shipping is extra if you don't pick them up at the HCCA office. Cash or check only, please.

Prayer flags are available in Crested Butte at 418, Blue Moon Books, the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, Lucille Lucas Gallery, Mountain Earth, Pema Dawa, Pooh's Corner and Yoga for the People.

Or use our downloadable order form. Click here for a PDF order form

If you have questions, call Meghan at the office (970-349-7104) or email office@hccaonline.org

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