To the editor:
I oppose Open Pit Metallic Mining in Maine, I oppose LD395, I support LD253 and LD254 and here’s why.
The waterways, the soil, the precious wildlife, the residents and our tourists are already affected by the natural erosion from our mountains. What I believe is unnatural and unnerving is the idea to mine without “permit” and a viable plan for toxic tailings. I have asked many who have worked around mining industry, repeatedly they told me their opinion, “unsafe.” The legislation is weak, it does not protect Maine’s waterways.
Here is one man’s response “… mining it would only be OK if the extraction of minerals included turning the tailings into a concrete monolith thus making a concrete mountain of the tailings … very expensive.
Any time you break a rock, of any kind, the newly exposed facets of that rock rapidly release the elements that are in that rock when water is applied. After I did “Superfund” work many years ago I found out the cleanup of hazardous waste sites may be as hazardous as just leaving them alone. I would say ‘No’ on the mining without immediately turning tailings into a new concrete mountain.”
Now I already know that Big Money and the metallic mining industry is not very interested in us residents’ opinion, but as a lifelong resident of Aroostook County — Ashland 20 years and Presque Isle 30 years I plead my case. I hike, kayak and swim in these waters, as my life is nature based and these residents are my friends and family.
To all legislators please consider “us” Mainers in your votes as each may have grave repercussions by allowing metallic mining in our state. Allowing weak mining rules do not secure “us” Mainers from monetary loss in cleanup.
The legislation proposed is soft on the accountability of the mining industry in regards to their responsibility “if” and more like “when” the release of these toxic tailings cause a disaster. “Us” Mainers deserve better period. Save our lands, our waters, our livelihood here in Maine and my dear home here in Aroostook County.
Lynne Sutherland
Presque Isle
