No headline

Open letter to Commissioner MacDonald:

Dear Sir: I was disappointed and surprised at your comments about the Hecla’s proposed Rock Creek Mine, in your interview on KRFY, Wednesday, May 2. You stated that you were in support of the mine, which is certainly your prerogative, but the “facts” you used to support your opinion are untrue.

Your first error was in stating: “The water coming out [of the tailings] is cleaner than the water in the Clark Fork (River.)”

The reason the company is required to have a discharge permit is because they need permission to discharge pollutants. (It’s called a pollution discharge permit for a reason.) The discharge will contain both nutrient pollutants and heavy metals. The company also has to rely on a mixing zone to dilute their discharge. And, we know that these pollutants will keep coming downstream, potentially in perpetuity.

Your second error was in stating: “The EPA has a full-time office there, they are constantly monitoring.” EPA is not going to be monitoring water quality in the lower Clark Fork River downstream of the mine. They have given Montana authority to write discharge permits. Montana EPA is based out of Helena. DEQ may do periodic inspections, but the company will monitor itself while the mine operates. Once the company leaves, your guess is as good as anyone’s as to who might actually monitor water quality.

JEAN GERTH

Sagle