The Good Neighbor Agreement with Stillwater Mining Company

A unique solution for local protection        

Overview

The Good Neighbor Agreement is a partnership between citizens in Stillwater and Sweet Grass Counties and the Stillwater Mining Company, which operates two platinum/palladium mines in the area. The Agreement is designed to protect the area’s quality of life, while providing for responsible economic development. Northern Plains helped negotiate and sign the Agreement, along with its affiliates, Cottonwood Resource Council and Stillwater Protective Association.

The Good Neighbor Agreement: key provisions

• Provides for citizen oversight of mining operations to ensure protection of the area’s quality of life and productive agricultural land.
• Establishes clear and enforceable water quality standards that go above and beyond state requirements.
• Provides local communities with access to critical information about mining operations and the opportunity to address potential problems before they occur.
• Ensures public safety and security while protecting the interest of miners through traffic plans designed to reduce mining traffic on country roads.
• Raises the bar for environmental excellence by setting goals and objectives  for developing new technologies. This is accomplished through a cooperative framework of third-party experts, the mining company, and local citizens
  

What You Can Do

The success of the Good Neighbor Agreement depends primarily on the volunteer efforts and commitment of local citizens. As with any contract, the Good Neighbor Agreement is only strong if it is enforced. Local members of Northern Plains and its affiliates work hard with mine representatives to ensure that the solutions envisioned by the Agreement become a reality.

The opportunities offered by the Agreement are available to all Northern Plains members:

• Take part in water sampling events
• Assist in the efforts of the oversight or responsible mining technology committees
• Join Northern Plains

If you are interested in working to support the agreement, or in volunteering please email Larry Winslow, or call 406-248-1154.

LINKS

• Download our Citizens Guide to the GNA
• Read the amended 2005 Good Neighbor Agreement
  
• Read the original Good Neighbor Agreement (as signed in 2000)
• Our evaluation of Good Neighbor Agreements across the country
• Cottonwood Resource Council's Good Neighbor Agreement site
• Stillwater Protective Association oversight committee
  
• Stillwater Mining Company website