Scott Butner, member of Alternative One, is a Senior Research Scientist in the Pacific Northwest who has enjoyed a lifelong love of photography. His photographs have appeared in national print publications, on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency, and many other venues. We thank him for donating his time and art in the interest of preserving the natural beauty of the Kootenai National Forest and the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.
Like virtually all mining operations, the Montanore Mine proposal outlined in the recently-released Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) promises to permanently change the landscape of the Kootenai National Forest and Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.
As outlined in the document, plans for the Libby area mine currently under review by federal and state agencies would not only consume and degrade natural water resources but would drive the wholesale destruction of wetlands and threatened species spawning, denning, and year-round habitats.
The SDEIS does not explain how threatened species would relocate to these new digs as their established habitats fall under the blade of Montanore’s backhoe.
The SDEIS is blunt and to-the-point: “All action alternatives would result in an irretrievable commitment of wetlands… and create changes in wetland functions and services.” Wetlands are critical to northwest Montana ecosystems, filtering pollutants and sediments before they enter natural watersheds. Wetlands comprise critical habitat for native aquatic, amphibian, bird, and mammal populations. The Montanore SDEIS states that “biodiversity in wetlands may ultimately be lost…and be irreversible under all action alternatives.”
As a strategy for gaining EPA approval for its hard rock mining project, the Montanore Minerals Corporation proposes to replace those wetlands they would destroy with “wetland mitigation areas.”
The EPA has established a Wetlands Mitigation Rule that governs all forms of wetland replacement projects under the Clean Water Act. According to this rule, those seeking a permit to impact a federal wetland must first avoid and minimize damages before resorting to compensatory measures.
This three-step approach results from EPA’s recognition that replacing one wetland with another down the road is not always successful. Similarly, projects attempting to recreate natural wetlands by artificial means often fail. However, the Montanore SDEIS does not describe any efforts the mining corporation has made or intends to make to avoid or minimize its destruction of KNF wetlands.
The SDEIS does not explain how threatened species like grizzlies, Canada lynx and bull trout would relocate to these new digs as their established habitats fall under the blade of Montanore’s backhoe.
As in the case of wetland destruction, federal regulations require that before resorting to habitat land swaps, Montanore Minerals Corporation must explore options for avoiding or minimizing destruction of established habitats. A thorough consideration of other options -- relocating proposed milling operations to non-federal lands, or paying the price for reducing environmental destruction, for example --is mandated by federal law. However, due perhaps to a capital crunch, MMC has not chosen to explore less invasive options.
Freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Just click it!
Alternative One is the voice of responsible Northwest Montanans who have
a creative vision for the future. We advocate accountable leadership
in government, sustainable economic growth, and preservation of the
region's natural resources for the benefit of future generations.
(continued from left)
The planned construction of a 16-mile long high-voltage transmission line corridor across the Miller Creek drainage, Howard Lake area, and Libby Creek drainage in the Kootenai National Forest to supply the mine with power would also seriously compromise area wildlife. The SEDIS lists “loss of biodiversity” and “a change in species composition” as among the expected effects of this vital project component.
According to the document, not only would the underground installation of transmission lines along an already established transportation corridor reduce habitat destruction, involve less clearing, and involve fewer short- and long-term power interruptions, this option was “eliminated…because of the cost.”
Estimates from several sources for installing underground power lines place the cost at an average of 5 percent more than the cost of above-ground installation. Apparently, neither the federal agencies entrusted with protecting our national forests and threatened species, nor Montanore Minerals Corp., a self-proclaimed “environmentally responsible” business concern, places a very high premium on our nation’s irreplaceable natural resources.
As the owners of these fragile ecosystems, Montanans and Americans can set them straight. I urge you to submit a written comment to the Forest Service and the Montana DEQ regarding the Lincoln County Montanore Mine proposal, online at rl_montanore@fs.fed.us or deqmontanoreEIS@mt.gov.
