Canadian Mine Could Harm Montana Waters

When you think of Montana rivers, you imagine rushing waters through mountain-framed valleys, with an angler catching fat trout and maybe some moose watching from downriver. Montana's economy is dependent on tourism that flocks to the fabled rivers to fish and enjoy nature at its most beautiful, however across the international border, a Canadian mining company has applied to operate a massive open-pit coal mine in the headwaters of the Flathead River. The proposed mine will destroy the integrity of the Flathead River, which is an integral source of clean water for Northern Montana's river systems and the ecology that depends on the river for its survival.

The Cline Mine will include an open-pit style coal mine located at the headwaters of the Flathead River, which forms the western boundary of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, also known as Glacier National Park in the United States.. This coal mine is just another threat to Glacier National Park, known for its namesake glaciers that are melting at alarming rates. The Cline Mine will also include settling ponds, in which runoff from mining operations are held until being treated, and waste dumps in which all types of toxic materials are held and later released into waterways. Furthermore, the coal mine will require the removal of mountain tops, in an area of the Northern Rockies that is known for its majestic peaks.

The major issue is that the coal mine will greatly decrease the quality of some of the continent's cleanest water. The waterways affected are the home of several endangered species in the Northern Rocky Mountains, such as the bull and western cutthroat trout as well as the grizzly bear and grey wolf. Furthermore, the Flathead River feeds Flathead Lake which is bordered by the Flathead Indian Reservation and the National Bison Range.

Unfortunately, whereas Cline Company is claiming that they have done extensive environmental assessments of the area, but admittedly they have only surveyed the vicinity of the site of the proposed mine, near Fernie, British Columbia. There has been little to no impact analysis of the waterways that the mine will affect. The Government of Montana has expressed concerns for the mine, and are dismayed that the Canadian Government is not doing more to assuage Montana's fears for its rivers. Senator Max Baucas is looking into avenues within the Federal Government to force Canada to come to the bargaining table to discuss and develop some sort of compromise or re-evaluation of the mine. However, when issues of water rights come into play between Canada and the US, the International Joint Commission addresses the problem, but this usually ends in a split vote across national lines.

Environmental groups are mounting campaigns to bring attention to the Cline Mine, with emails and letters being sent to the Canadian Prime Minister and the Project Assessment Officer. Montana and Canadian residents have been attending meetings to lodge public comments and complaints against the proposed site.

In another mining operation in the area, studies have shown that contaminant level in the waters that are affected by that mine exceed nitrate levels by more than 300 times the acceptable level. Selenium levels are more that 50 times the safe level. Nitrates lead to the depletion of oxygen in the water, and selenium affects reproduction in animals and fish.

The Cline Company is a joint Japanese-German interest, and in the case of the mine by Fernie, the coal will be shipped to China after being mined in Canada, to produce steel. Cline operates three other mines in British Columbia.