The Cabinet Resource Group protects the wilderness and wildlife of northwest Montana, with a specific focus on the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, a 35-mile range of glaciated peaks and valleys home to wolverine, elk, moose and a small population of grizzly bears. Founded in 1976, the organization mobilized quickly against a proposal by the Northern Lights Electrical Cooperative to dam the Kootenai River at the Kootenai Falls. Working closely with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, CRG and its allies defeated the proposal, allowing it to remain the largest undammed waterfall in the state. Though the Kootenai National Forest is under the protection of the National Forest Service, the area has been subjected to various environmental hazards, from polluted tailing ponds due to surrounding copper and silver mines, to local residents hunting and trapping endangered animals. In its 49 years, CRG has prevented the construction of three world-class silver mines in northern Montana.
Cabinet Resource Group members hard at work during a board meeting.
Through lawsuits, advertising, op-eds, public education and other tactics, the Cabinet Resource Group holds government agencies and corporate interests accountable to environmental laws—a task increasingly difficult as the political climate shifts toward deregulation and impunity for bad actors. The organization is an all-volunteer nonprofit with about 100 paid members, many of whom have been involved since the beginning, and generally meets once per month. Some of its members have gone on to form partner organizations, including Rock Creek Alliance and Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. Coming upon its 50th anniversary, the Cabinet Resource Group is currently focused on the proposed Montanore mine near Libby, Montana, and owned by Hecla Mining Company, a longtime polluter in the area. CRG President Colleen Hinds urged companies to follow existing environmental laws and keep Montana’s air, water and soil clean. “If you want to mine, do it right,” said Hinds.
Cabinet Resource Group members after a sailing trip courtesy of an auction item from the annual meeting in 2023.