Don't allow Revett to destroy wilderness

Are my western neighbors smart folks?

Montana has a proposed project that promises to be so damaging to so much that just thinking about it reeks of stupidity.

Idaho's jewel — Lake Pend Oreille — has damaged water quality, mostly from mining in Montana.

The proposed Revett copper mine wants to tunnel under the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness area in northwestern Montana. They plan to dump three million gallons of toxic mine waste daily for at least 35 years into the Clark Fork River — one of the worst toxic mine waste-damaged rivers in our country.

Uphill digging will pollute water draining into the river. The proposed toxic goop pond will leak downhill into the Clark Fork. Resident grizzlies would be removed.

Revett's proposed project would destroy the southern end of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness area. Will you allow Revett to pollute your water?

Revett's proposed plans to destroy a pristine mountain paradise does not merit praise from anyone. Our country does not have a copper shortage. Residents are becoming much better at recycling used copper, eliminating the need to destroy a spectacular placed, its animal inhabitants and the very special water below.

Protecting the best we have left doesn't include a copper mine.

L.J. LaBELLE

Noxon, Mont.'