Bill Peters, a Hamilton resident and representative of Indivisible Bitterroot, used the public-comment period at the June 24 Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners meeting to urge commissioners to publicly support the Rocky Mountain Laboratory and to promote a local rally in its favor.

Peters said the rally would be held Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. and described the laboratory as “critical” to the town and beyond. He identified himself as representing Indivisible Bitterroot and said the group has about 170 members locally.

Resident Archie Thomas followed public comment with questions about whether the commission had been asked to issue a statement of support and why no written statement had been provided. Thomas pressed commissioners on whether county officials had asked the lab for specifics on staffing or funding cuts allegedly affecting the facility.

Commissioners said they have asked lab leadership for information but were told the lab could not disclose details at this time. A commissioner said the board has not issued a formal statement because it lacks verified information on staffing or funding impacts and that the county’s role is limited when the issue is a federal matter.

In the exchange, Thomas argued that the county should use existing channels — including a community liaison group that meets with the lab — to press for information and to offer support. Commissioners replied that county staff have contacted the lab’s leadership and that a community liaison group exists to share lab updates with the public. Commissioners characterized the current posture as “watchful” and said they would not issue an unqualified funding request or demand until factual impacts are known.

No formal motion or resolution was made during the meeting on this subject. Commissioners advised residents to pursue existing community-lab liaison mechanisms and said they would consider a written statement only after receiving verifiable information about impacts to the laboratory’s operations or workforce.

The exchange highlighted a recurring tension between residents seeking proactive public advocacy and commissioners who said they are constrained by limited information and by the county’s authority over federal operations.

Looking ahead, residents who want the county to act were told to bring verifiable documentation of staffing or funding changes to the commissioners or to seek support through the lab’s community liaison group.