The SDEIS and the previous
DEIS document of 2009 on the Montanore mine proposal do not provide any
analyses of the cumulative effects on the environment in the KNF and Cabinet
Mountains Wilderness if Montanore is permitted to operate in the same vicinity
as the already permitted Revett Rock Creek Mine. Since the two operations would be extracting
ore from adjacent deposits, a study of the compounded water consumption and
pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, visual pollution, native species
endangerment, and other issues must be a part of the Environmental Impact Statement.
"Cumulative effects to the entire natural water system brought about by simultaneous mining operations stand to be enormously destructive."
Two concurrent mining operations would necessarily consume much greater quantities of natural water resources and would overtake a much larger area of threatened species habitat. The environmental organization Save Our Cabinets states that, should more than one mine be permitted to commence operations in the CMW, “Their cumulative impacts would result in the demise of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.”
Furthermore, according to Save Our Cabinets,
The proposed Montanore mine would transform the East Fork of Rock Creek into a dry channel by diverting all of the groundwater that currently flows to the stream. Rock Creek Meadows would become parched in summer resulting in the loss of the bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations.
The main channel of Rock Creek cannot survive without
the significant water contribution from the East Fork. The controversial
and legally contested Rock Creek mine already threatens Rock Creek with the
introduction of massive amounts of sediment, and with heavy metals.
Now, the struggling stream and its fragile bull trout population face threats
from this additional mine. The Montanore mine would dry the lower
reaches of Rock Creek for long periods of time. The waterless sections of
the stream would be expected to expand, rendering Rock Creek virtually useless
to migrating bull trout.
"The wilderness has a Class One airshed designation meriting the highest level of protection."
While the environmental degradation posed by the Montanore proposal is in itself unpalatable, cumulative effects to the entire natural water system brought about by simultaneous mining operations stand to be enormously destructive. Any proposal seeking permits to open this second mine (Montanore) absolutely must include a study of the probable combined environmental impact of both mining operations.
According to the Earthworks organization, “air quality impacts [of the Montanore mine] would include cumulative effects associated with the neighboring Rock Creek mine. The wilderness has a Class One airshed designation meriting the highest level of protection. Potential pollutants include small particulates (PM10), nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxides.” Maintaining acceptable air quality is a survival issue for humans, wildlife, and plant life in these federally-owned lands. The combined pollutants emitted by simultaneous mining activities in two huge, adjacent mines comprises an issue of serious concern that the agencies must address in another SDIES to allow public review and commentary.
We assert that the agencies would be critically remiss in failing to order an intensive investigation into the cumulative environmental degradation imposed by permitting a second mining operation to commence in this fragile ecosystem.
The cumulative noise of two mines blasting tunnels and running heavy machinery 24 hours per day, seven days per week would be deafening compared to the quiet that currently reigns over these wilderness areas. We believe that a study of the noise levels of both operations combined is possible and indeed absolutely necessary to the agencies’ informed consideration of permitting a second mine to delve beneath protected wilderness.
Visual pollution would also be multiplied times two, with such visuals as double power line corridors, twin tailings pipes, and matched towering tailings impoundments balancing each other on either side of the Cabinet range creating an unsightly industrial wasteland in place of coniferous forests and pristine alpine lakes. The lighting required of these two around-the-clock operations would similarly be multiplied to an intolerable degree. The agencies must work to minimize visual pollution in these federally protected lands by ordering that more study and alternatives be examined to contain environmental damage.
The acreage consumed by the two mines would compound the dangers to threatened native species that currently, without the threat of even one operating mine, are continuing to dwindle. The tiny segment of the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly population would be doubly threatened by two adjacent mines operating in concert. The decimation of Bull Trout habitat and spawning grounds would be expanded by the water demands of two giant area mines and destruction of Canada lynx habitat would similarly be magnified over greater distances. Other at-risk species, including the pileated woodpecker, additional species of trout, mountain goats and wolverines would likewise be doubly threatened should this second-in-line Montanore mining operations be allowed to go forward without further study.
We assert that the agencies would be critically remiss in failing to order an intensive investigation into the cumulative environmental degradation imposed by permitting a second mining operation to commence in this fragile ecosystem.
Read About Recreational and Tribal Issues Regarding the Montanore Mine
Read About Montanore's Critically Flawed Tailings Impoundment Plan
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