It is hard to trust their general message of they are going to do it right when we see these kind of changes and are surprised by them,” said David Brooks of Montana TU. “They are changes that pose serious risks to both water quality and water quantity.”
MSU-MTN 2018 mail-response poll, conducted between Sept. 14 and Oct. 6, a 2 percent margin of error. MSU staff mailed polls to 10,000 voters and received 2,000 responses.
This recent report evaluated the adequacy of water quality predictions and reclamation bonds at modern hardrock mines in Montana. Based on a review of government documents, water quality predictions made during mine permitting were wrong at 11 out of 12 mines (91.7% of mines). Not only were water quality predictions incorrect in nearly every case, but the water quality impacts were often severe, including contamination of drinking water, loss of fish and wildlife habitat, harm to private property and agricultural lands, and the formation of acid mine drainage that will cause lasting pollution that requires water treatment in perpetuity.
Since 1999, $77 million has been poured into healing this injured landscape at the Zortman-Landusky mine sites, almost $50 million coming in public money.
A great, in depth look into the long term impacts of irresponsible mining.
