By Sharon Greef, Florence
I think most of us have heard of the initiative I-186 that will be on our November ballot. I-186, if passed, will affect our state in a way that many aren’t aware of.
This will basically shut mining down in Montana. The proponents assert that we cannot have mining and a clean environment at the same time. Yet, Montana’s mines are rigorously regulated… among the most stringent rules in the nation. Montana Department of Environmental Quality requires mines to post bonds to assure that any cost of reclamation would be covered for the life of the project. This has not always been the case, but it is now.
Representative Jim Keane, D-Butte, reports that Montana’s bonding requirements and new water laws have been enacted to insure a high standard of reclamation and that mines are not allowed to pollute Montana’s water.
Shutting down our mines will cost over 21,000 jobs. Montana mining contributes over $42 million in annual taxes. Passing I-186 will result in towns drying up. Teachers, policemen, small business owners will be out of jobs. More taxes lost!
Montana has been blessed with a bounty of natural resources. We are The Treasure State. But we cannot continue to put up roadblocks to using the natural resources that God has given us.
Dan Hutchinson says
Mrs Greef seems convinced that we can not prosper without allowing unrestrained exploration of mineral deposits. I seem to disagree, we have been paying a sizeable amount of money to clean up after the mining interests who seem to take the profits and run.
This woman may seem to offer all the answers, perhaps not the right ones? Is this the best candidate to serve the needs of Ravalli County or the State of Montana? Or is she someone who is “Skirting” term limits? I await her proposals for a tourist attraction called the Berkeley Pit Swimming Pool?