Working toward approval of the Montanore Mine has been a long process, but Eric Klepfer, the contractor overseeing the environmental aspects of the process, can see the end to the process.

Klepfer, speaking to a small group last week at Flathead Valley Community College, said if the Record of Decision comes in July, the mine evaluation could begin in August or next September.

“It just seems the (approval) process is broken,” Klepfer told the group. “It’s the culture that has developed because of the legal process.” 

Klepfer indicated Montanore Minerals, Inc., has even agreed to pay the salary of a researcher to expedite the process in these days of tighter budgets.

“(The mine) will happen,” Klepfer said. “There are those who think if they delay you long enough, you’ll go away. It’s been a long process. (but) that’s not the case right now,” he said.

Klepfer indicated recently to Chamber of Commerce members during a luncheon there remained two issues — hydrology and the grizzly bear study.

“We’re just about through the hydrology issues now. It’s really getting down to the nitty-gritty.”