To the editor:
Once again, mining rules, deemed by the legislature last year to be too dangerous to the environment, are being considered again this year. Although these proposed rules would apply to any mining operation anywhere in Maine, they were written to make it easier for J.D. Irving to do open pit mining at Bald Mountain west of Portage Lake. There are no open pit mines anywhere that have not seriously damaged surrounding waterways, and Bald Mountain is an unusually dangerous site for a mining operation according to a report from the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
So what has changed in the last year that could make open-pit mining safe this year when it wasn’t last year?
The risks to the surrounding waters have not changed. I haven’t been able to find any evidence of new findings that acid mine drainage and extremely high levels of arsenic will be any less than what was determined by previous studies. Ramsey Hart, Canadian mining expert, has been quoted in the BDN, “There’s almost no way Bald Mountain can be mined without polluting nearby water, potentially for thousands of years.” I haven’t found any evidence that technology can make the tailings ponds supposed to contain toxic elements safer. The ponds always fail, both the old “legacy” ones and the modern ones. Taxpayers are left to fund clean-up efforts in perpetuity after the mining company has left, taking all the profits out of the local economy.
Nothing has changed in the inflated claims of benefits to the local economy.
With the threat to our waterways, we should also worry about the risks to sports fishing. According to figures calculated from “2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation” and the “Aroostook County Economic Cluster Report Part 1: Analysis,” sports fishing contributes + or – $36 million to the Aroostook economy. A growing economy, it grew 17% between 2001 and 2011 and supports local businesses: lodging ($8 million), guiding, retail stores, local contracting, farmers, and more. Agriculture and fishing are sustainable businesses that will be here in perpetuity if we protect our waterways. The mining of Bald Mountain might last, at best estimates, between 5 and 20 years.
The only thing that has changed since last year is an election that has put more perceived supporters of open-pit mining in the legislature. It is clear, the risks to the environment have not changed. Under the proposed rules, open pit mining at Bald Mountain would be disastrous to our environment, our long-term economy, and our way of life. Don’t let it happen. Contact your legislators or contact the legislative committee. Letters and emails should be addressed “Dear Sen. Saviello, Rep. Welsh and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.” Send snail mail to: Sen. Saviello and Rep. Welsh, c/o, Tyler Washburn, Environment and Natural Resources Committee Clerk, Legislative Information Office, 100 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Or email tyler.washburn@legislature.maine.gov .
Alice Bolstridge
Presque Isle
