Mine's 'major' status steps up scrutiny

At first glance, news that a Canadian company intends to pursue a "major" mining project in the headwaters of the North Fork Flathead River may seem alarming. But oddly enough, folks in Montana's Flathead Basin should be glad that Cline Mining Corp. is not pursuing its previous plans to develop a mine through a small-mines permit from the British Columbia government.

That's because the province requires a more extensive and time-consuming environmental review for major projects. The small mine would have required much less scrutiny, but it would have established the basic infrastructure for a mine, along with any environmental impacts that result from a developed "footprint" and maximum coal production of 250,000 tons per year in the Foisey Creek basin.

Cline officials made it clear that they eventually intended to pursue a major mining permit anyway, with production going well beyond 250,000 tons. By then, of course, impacts would have been well under way on the landscape.

The state of Montana is interested in partnering with British Columbia to develop an inventory of existing ecological conditions north and south of the border, before there is a major change on the landscape. Collecting "baseline data" after development is under way could pose problems for Montana. Specifically, it would be more difficult to quantify and attribute future environmental degradation to mining operations.

It should be made clear that Montanans who are concerned are not necessarily worried about the Cline mine on its own. There is potential for industrial inertia in the Canadian Flathead. With roads and other infrastructure, along with mine employees living nearby, there comes potential for more mining operations. The Canadian Flathead has the resources to make that possible - coal, coalbed methane, even gold.

That's why mining in the Canadian Flathead is a serious issue for downstream dwellers who value water quality, fisheries, grizzly bears and other indicators that reflect on the general ecological health of this area. Scientists led by Dr. Jack Stanford, director of the University of Montana's Yellow Bay Biological Station, flatly predict that environmental degradation in the Canadian Flathead will ripple south across the border.

Those predictions should be carefully weighed by the Montana public, along with Canadian officials who are obliged to abide by terms of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.

At times, there has been reason to question the B.C. government's sense of obligation. Five successive Montana governors attempted to establish improved relations on this matter, with few results.

But there are encouraging recent developments. It appears that Gov. Brian Schweitzer and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell have developed a rapport on the matter, with some results. A meeting of the Flathead Basin Commission was attended by a contingent of Canadian officials who appeared eager to share information and discuss an issue that should obviously require some level of transboundary cooperation.

For that we are grateful. Whether or not, Cline successfully makes the case for its mine, the public on both sides of the border will benefit by openness and thoroughness in the review process.