Stop the 64-Acre Blackfoot Corridor
Asphalt Plant & Gravel Pit
Keep Informed, Sign Up for Our E-News
Latest News
The Missoula County Commissioners have asked county staff to pause the land use permit for the proposed 64-acre gravel mine and portable asphalt plant in the Blackfoot River corridor.
They will be sending a formal letter to the developer, Thursday, December 4, outlining a series of critical questions the applicant must answer before anything can move forward.
Missoula County Pauses Blackfoot Gravel Pit Zoning, NBC Montana – December 4, 2025
The Blackfoot - More Precious Than Gravel
Just four miles from Bonner, a proposal was filed to turn 64 acres of the Blackfoot River corridor into a gravel pit and asphalt operation with a crushing mill and hot-mix plant.
But the Blackfoot is more than land on a map. It’s the river that inspired Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It a place where families gather, kids play, dogs roam, and we find peace in the wild.
This is not just about development. It’s about protecting a living sanctuary, one of Montana’s most beloved rivers, from becoming an industrial zone.
A 64-acre gravel pit, complete with a crushing mill and hot-mix asphalt plant, has been proposed by Riverside Contracting, Inc. at 14815 Highway 200 about 3.5 miles upstream of Bonner, Montana and 6.5 miles downstream of Johnsrud Fishing Access in the Blackfoot River corridor.
This industrial project, now under review by Missoula County, would bring major impacts to one of Montana’s most iconic river valleys polluting air and water, increasing truck traffic and noise, and threatening wildlife and community health. The project also risks degrading the river’s serenity, deterring recreation and tourism, and repeating the costly mistakes of the Berkeley Pit and Milltown Dam.
We support responsible development, but this special waterway demands the highest level of protection- there is plenty of gravel elsewhere. As Robert Redford once said, “It’s not about opposing mining everywhere, just not here”. The risks to our river and community are too great.
Why This Matters
Water & habitat: Industrial extraction and asphalt emissions risk sediment, runoff, and habitat harm in a cold-water fishery.
Air & health: Dust and asphalt plant emissions can travel, affecting nearby homes, schools/Bonner elementary, and recreation areas.
Traffic & safety: Heavy truck trips on HWY 200 E increase crash risk and noise; turning/pull-out lanes often shift costs to taxpayers.
Quality of life & economy: The corridor’s beauty and quiet are core to recreation and local businesses; once industrialized, it’s hard to reverse.
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.”
— Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It
What You Can Do
The Blackfoot River needs your voice.
Together, we can protect one of Montana’s most cherished wild places.
1. Read Our Open Letter to the Missoula County Commissioners
Learn more about what’s at stake and why this fight matters.
Read the Letter →
2. Speak Up for the Blackfoot
The Blackfoot River belongs to all of us. Let the Missoula County Commissioners know how much this place means to you.
Urge them to hold an emergency zoning hearing to protect the Blackfoot River corridor from industrial development and share your own story of what the river means in your life.
Whether it’s fishing at sunrise, floating with friends, or watching your kids play along its banks, your story reminds our leaders what’s truly at stake.
4. Sign the Petition
Add your name to call for immediate action.
Sign the Petition →
We’re asking the Missoula County Commissioners to:
• Immediately schedule an emergency zoning hearing focused on the Blackfoot River corridor near the proposed industrial site.
• Initiate the county’s interim or emergency zoning process to safeguard public health and safety, protect clean water and wildlife habitat, and preserve the unique character of this community while long-term land-use solutions are developed.
3. Spread the Word
Help raise awareness in your community.
Download the Flyer (PDF) →
Print and post it at local businesses, community boards, and river access points.
5. Write a Letter to the Editor
Share why you oppose the proposed asphalt plant and gravel pit and why you love the Blackfoot River. Personal stories make a powerful impact and help our community stand together for what we value most.
Submit Your Letter →
6. Get Our Newsletter
Sign up for updates on the fight to protect the Blackfoot River plus upcoming events and ways to take action.
Join Us →
7. Documents
Read key documents, letters, and reports related to the project.
Read Key Documents →
Every Voice Matters.
The Blackfoot River is part of who we are.
Let’s stand together to keep it wild, clean, and healthy.