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Montanore Mine Clears ‘Major Hurdle’

By Beacon Staff

Six years after the environmental impact statement process was initiated for Montanore Mine near Libby, proponents of the mine are optimistic the project is taking a significant step forward with the recent completion of a supplemental review document.

But environmentalists remain strongly opposed and the cofounder of one opposition group said last week she believes the project is nowhere near approval, suggesting litigation is inevitable if the mine is ever approved.

Montanore Mine, owned by Spokane-based Mines Management Inc., is located in Northwest Montana’s Lincoln County at the site of one of the world’s largest silver-copper deposits. The deposit was discovered in 1983.

After a draft environmental impact statement was released in 2009, a supplemental document was requested to address additional concerns, including water quality, tailings disposal and details of a transmission line associated with the project.

The U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Environmental Quality released the supplemental review last week. The agencies will accept public comments through Nov. 14 with a public meeting scheduled Oct. 25 at Libby City Hall’s Ponderosa Room. An open house begins at 5 p.m. and the public hearing is at 6:30 p.m.

Eric Klepfer, a contractor for Mines Management overseeing environmental permitting, said the comments will be used in drafting a final EIS with the possibility of a record of decision by mid-2012, at which time “we would initiate activities at the site.”

“This is getting very close for us,” Klepfer said. “I think the saying is, ‘We can see the light at the end of the tunnel.’ This was a major hurdle and we’re excited about it.”

But Lynne Haley Rose, a Libby resident who cofounded Alternative One, said remaining questions will continue to delay the project, including the lack of a “biological assessment.”

“There are very serious problems with this project,” Rose said. “We still have our doubts that this project will ever be approved.”

“Even with a record of decision,” she added, “Montanore stands to be kept up in court by various environmental groups for years. They’re looking at some serious delays.”

Klepfer said a biological assessment is being initiated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Grizzly bear habitat is a primary focus.

“We know the grizzly bear issues are going to take a lot of thorough effort and consideration to make sure we address those issues appropriately,” Klepfer said.

Environmentalists say, in addition to grizzlies, other species of concern include Canada lynx and bull trout. Rose also said she has worries about the transmission line.

“Power lines through a national forest – why can’t they bury them?” she said.

Klepfer said the project has undergone extensive scientific scrutiny and he’s dismayed by opposition to a project that proposes significant employment in an area hit hard by the recession. He estimates 500 people will be hired during the construction process, which will likely last two to three years. During operation, he said the mine will employ 350 to 400 people.

“We’ve been working on it six years through that whole process and there’s been a lot of good scientific work,” he said. “We’re very proud of that.”

“To oppose this and eliminate job opportunities would be very unfortunate,” he added. “When you constantly oppose everything, how do you function in a society?”

Lincoln County Commissioner Tony Berget said he’s “disappointed that special interests are trying to throw up roadblocks.” But Berget is encouraged by what he says is widespread community support. A rally is planned at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Firemen’s Park in Libby to show support for Montanore Mine.

“Mining and logging – that’s how our community has been built and it will always be a part of our heritage,” Berget said.

The completion of the supplemental environmental impact statement is welcome news for Berget, but he says “there are still some hurdles” before final approval.

“I’m guardedly optimistic,” he said. “We’ve been waiting and waiting for so long.”

For more information, including how to comment, visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kootenai/minerals or www.deq.mt.gov.