Idaho doesn't need Rock Creek Mine

Will the proposed Rock Creek mine pollute the Clark Fork River? The mining company would like you to believe that it won’t. In reality, the Rock Creek mine requires a permit to pollute. The water that is discharged from the mine, even after treatment, will not meet minimum water quality standards and it will contain metals. All of that will end up in Lake Pend Oreille.

Don’t believe me? How about the Montana Supreme Court? In 2008, Montana’s Supreme Court reviewed the permit that had been obtained to pollute the river. The court cited concerns that, once started, the pollution cannot be stopped and will be perpetual. Likewise, a district court revoked the permit to discharge wastewater from the tailings pile into groundwater because of the presence of arsenic, a known human carcinogen.

If the mine goes in, who will pay for the clean-up over the long-term? Most likely, it will be taxpayers. From the Montana Supreme Court’s decision: “There is no consideration of whether it is possible to purchase a bond guaranteeing payment of perpetual treatment costs, while it is known that the principal will close its mine and may become a shell corporation or dissolve.”

Idaho doesn’t need the Rock Creek Mine. We need a clean Lake Pend Oreille.

JEAN GERTH

Sandpoint