Mining firm hires bear expert

KALISPELL – The state has hired a grizzly bear expert for the Cabinet-Yaak bear recovery area with money from Revett Minerals Inc. as part of an agreement to offset impacts of its controversial copper and silver mine proposal.

Kim Annis will be based out of Libby and starts work this week, said Jim Williams, regional wildlife manager for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The area spans 1.6 million acres in northwestern Montana and is home to fewer than 40 grizzlies.

“This position is needed to work with the private property owners, mine staff, county government and others to reduce bear conflicts,” Williams said. “The position will be responsible for capture and handling of conflict bears.”

Spokane-based Revett operates the Troy Mine and wants to build the Rock Creek Mine beneath the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, a proposal that has sparked litigation and drawn criticism from jeweler Tiffany & Co. and others.

Mining at Rock Creek could begin as early as 2011 if Revett clears all remaining hurdles smoothly.