As someone that has been a strong advocate for the mines in northwest Mont. to start, the latest move by our own state government to obstruct their development has me hopping mad!
Doesn’t our state want to see an area that frequently has the highest unemployment rate in the state have some economic opportunity? Does our Governor really believe that Hecla, a company that has been around for over a 100 years is a bad company?
I for one believe that current laws and regulations have more than adequately responded to the days of speculative mining practices that have left tax payers holding the bag. We now have bonding requirements that are frequently reviewed, and environmental analysis that looks not only to potential impacts in the short term, but also long after the mining has stopped.
The Montanore and Rock Creek projects have been under environmental analysis for decades! Just when they are about to be constructed by one of the most responsible mining companies in the world, we have our state government working with the groups that file frivolous lawsuits in hopes of preventing our region the good paying jobs we have long been awaiting. How ridiculous!
Charlotte Woods of Libby, Mont.
I find it disheartening that our own governor that represents the citizens of Montana has saddled alongside those that continue to block all efforts for resource extraction in Montana. Your recent agreement with Earthjustice’s claim that Hecla Mining is in violation of Montana’s Bad Actor statute has proven your poor leadership; instead of fighting for us, you have chosen to be submissive by aiding the extremists, not allowing small local governments any recourse for resource extraction in Montana. I have recently learned that Hecla Mining has operated throughout the world for 127 years, indicative of their dedication to environmental responsibilities and we are proud to partner with them.
As a citizen of Lincoln County, I feel very relieved that a company with Hecla’s long-term experience has chosen to invest heavily into our community and are committed to working towards development of the Montanore and Rock Creek mines.
Most of us in Lincoln County are environmentalists and conservationists, wanting clean air, clean water and abundant wildlife. Most “Acts”, though well intended, are now manipulated and used as a source of litigation tools. Montanore has stricter water regulations upon them, than what is regulated for human consumption. Grizzly Bear habitat is severely weakened by the very people who use the grizzly bear as its litigation tool.
The erosion of truth leads to continued lawlessness and now our own governor is a contributing factor to that erosion. As a citizen it would be easy for me to remain silent and complacent but as Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I find your leadership very alarming and offensive to the citizens of Lincoln County and the State of Montana.
Robin A. Benson of Libby, Mont.