Baucus gets raucous reception from Canadians

Hungry Horse News

Sen. Max Baucus got a rather ugly reception on a trip to Canada last week to talk about coal mining in the Flathead.

Bill Bennett, a representative in British Columbia's Legislative Assembly, confronted Baucus, saying locals didn't want him there and that no one invited him.

Baucus went to Fernie, B.C., to discuss the coal mining exploration in the Foisey Creek area, a tributary of the North Fork of the Flathead River. In November, British Columbia gave the Cline Mining Corp. a permit for exploratory work. The company has already begun building roads in the area.

Baucus said he wanted to express Montanans' concerns about coal mining's possible impacts on the Flathead River's water quality. The Flathead Coalition and the Flathead Basin Commission have requested a baseline study of the environmental effects of a mine in the area.

Baucus said he simply wanted to talk with Canadians face to face and begin the process of solving the issue.

Bennett and his angry contingent of about two dozen people said Baucus should worry about the natural resources in his own country and leave Canada alone.

"We're not about to let anything happen to the Flathead River," Bennett claimed.

Bennett said the U.S. should trust that Canadians will properly manage their water quality. He cited the Elk River, which has numerous coal mines in its headwaters and is still a fine trout stream, as evidence of their standards.

Fernie resident Peter Molander also said Baucus should not have come to Canada.

"We don't feel it is necessary for him to come up here and tell us where we can drill," Molander said. "They're separate countries. He's done a lot of damage to the locals and their feelings about the U.S. Why should he be concerned about some exploration? We have 100 years of mining in this country and our water quality is exceptional."

Fernie Mayor Randall McNair said he did not invite Baucus and he wasn't sure why he was coming. He said the exploration has not been a hot topic among locals.

"It's not on the radar screen," McNair said. "It's not a big issue because it's in a relatively early state."

But not everyone was mad at Max.

Fernie resident, Jacqueline Applebee, said she did not know much about the issue, but was not necessarily opposed to Baucus' arrival.

"If (coal mining) is going to have a significant impact, (Americans) have every right to be concerned," she said.

Bennett and other Canadians also complained about U.S. restrictions on softwood and cattle imports.

Canadian rancher Faye Street asked Baucus if he supported President Bush's decision to open the border for cattle imports on March 7.

Baucus said no, not at this time. He said diseases from Canadian cattle are still a concern.

Bennett said Baucus and the U.S. have continually punished Canadians with trade restrictions.

"You've never been a friend of ours. You like to kick us around," Molander claimed.

Bennett and his supporters left the meeting early.

After their departure, the tone was calmer. Baucus spoke with some Fernie city officials about forming a committee for future talks about mining. One suggested that Baucus should do a tour of their mines.

Gunnar Kahn, a former coal mine worker who lives in Elk Ford, was the only Canadian who spoke against the coal mines, saying they have polluted the environment.

Baucus said the meeting was beneficial, and it was good to hear the deep feelings of Canadians.

"You have to start somewhere," Baucus said. "I decided to jump into the fray."

He also said that it is still important for them to get the baseline environmental data for coal mining in the Canadian Flathead. That way their discussions would be based on facts rather than emotions.