RE: As the world turnsStepping back from this bullboard (the longest-running stock opera since Rex Diamond and Rhonda), in the real world, the Idaho Conservation League has an update (and I'll presume to suggest that the recent purges/annointments at MSQ may have disheartened and demoralized those still trying to move the project forward).
https://www.idahoconservation.org/blog/atlanta-gold-the-cumo-mega-mine-and-the-boise-river
Posted byAlice B. Johnsonat Feb 02, 2012 09:31 AM
31 January 2012
To Whom it May Concern:
In an effort to further educate myself regarding the mining issue and the health of the Boise River, I attended the Idaho Families for Clean Water meeting on January 25, 2012. I was taken aback by the political rhetoric exhibited in an effort to further the 'cause' and sincerely confused about the real issue at the meeting's close.
I am not a stranger to environmental issues, having lived in a state with the largest wolf population in the lower 48. There were disparate points of view in those discussions as well, the most radical being that small children and dogs would be snatched from porches by wolves, despite no evidence to that 'fact' as stated in countless meetings. I find such contentious rhetoric dangerous and pointless in the end. I believe that common sense and cooperation cannot prevail in such an environment, which is troubling.
I have read much of the Atlanta Gold issue on the internet and do not claim to be an expert in the arguments. However, it does appear that the company is making an effort to clean up the arsenic that resulted from former mining and was quite possibly exacerbated by new explorations (in the old mine shaft?) Common sense should indicate that perhaps a reasonable solution could be found if all concerned agencies were focused on the primary concern which is the water.....or is it just the water?
This meeting referred to Atlanta Gold's efforts with the water treatment operation as a toxic orange goop (or words to that effect) with references to a tour of the facility as a Halloween trick or treat experience.
The virtual tour of the area that impacted by the CuMomine exploration was educational and it was fairly obvious that that operation is the next one to be in the 'activist' crosshairs. Remarks at the end of the meeting were equally disturbing to me. Another organization's representative preemptively answered the question 'why not wait until the mines are in operation' (or words to that effect). The opinion offered was that it would be too late, it needs to be stopped now, and that mines would not create jobs because the miners move from place to place and furthermore, crime had increased in the area of the new mining explorations (at least that's what I believe was stated). As a result of this pointless rhetoric, I was definitely left with the impression that the goal of this coalition is not primarily the concern for clean water, but to discover legal ways to discourage mining in this area......period.
A gentleman in the audience was the last to speak and pointed out that gold will likely by $5000/ounce in the future. Mining interests in Idaho will probably not disappear. It seems to me that all concerned organizations would be better off assisting the mining companies that are making an effort toward environmental stewardship. There was much talk of the multi-million dollar settlement that will be awarded to the coalition (?) I would like to think that it would be used to help build a viable arsenic treatment facility for cleaner water (if that is indeed THE issue).
The tone of the meeting left me with the impression that it was just full speed ahead for a lawsuit against the next mining exploration. This meeting left me with a bad taste in my mouth for environmental groups in this area. Please stick to the facts.
Inflammatory rhetoric to advance your point of view is distasteful and does not appear to lead to solutions. Perhaps a large dose of common sense should be added to everyone's thought process. Thank you for listening.
A concerned citizen