Ballots are out, and it's time to vote 'yes' in Montana

Ballots are officially out in Montana and I'm not exaggerating when I say we're super-psyched to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Fighting for clean water is an exhausting prospect. But TU should be proud of it's Montana members, businesses and supporters. Throughout this entire campaign they've hung tough. As big mining companies lined up to outspend this little citizens initiative by millions, they stood their ground on protecting one of our most precious resources in this state.

Vote yes on I-186 to protect Montana’s clean water from Trout Unlimited on Vimeo.

I-186 will require hard rock mining companies applying for new permits to show up front that they will not leave behind perpetual pollution like acid-mine drainage, lead, mercury and aresenic. Montana taxpayers are already on the hook for millions of dollars in clean up costs. I-186 does not impact current mines or mine expansions. As the Bozeman Daily Chronicle said recently in their endorsement for I-186, preventing perpetual pollution is "not too much to ask."

Yes on 186 - Simms from Trout Unlimited on Vimeo.

Help us get through the final sprint. Here are three ways you can help right now:

1. Donate: the sooner the better. The longer you wait to make your donation, the less effective it will be. Ad space is going fast with midterms approaching. To get our message to Montanans, we need to raise the money to make those purchases today. Donate $100, $50, $25.

2. Volunteer to make calls: If you’ve never done it before, this can be daunting. But we have in-house experts to make it a cinch. Sign up to volunteer at yeson186.org/volunteer or email Colin Cooney at colin.cooney@tu.org.

3. Socialize: Word of mouth is critical to this campaign. Ask your friends to vote Yes on 186. Like us on Facebook or share our newest video.

Oh, and one last thing: If you live in Montana, vote YES on I-186.