The threat of Canada's mines
By MIKE RICHESON
Bigfork Eagle
The interconnectivity of northwest Montana's water sources serve as a double-edged sword.
On one hand, the connections promote a diverse ecosystem and help filter pollutants. On the other hand, large disturbances can impact massive areas.
Dr. Richard Hauer's lecture, titled "Critical linkages in our waterscapes: River, groundwater and lake connections," showed the intricate web of Flathead's water systems.
This connectivity is one reason Dr. Hauer said the mining proposals in British Columbia are such a threat. The proposed coal mine and coal bed methane exploration sites are located at the head of the North Fork of the Flathead River in Canada, which is just 22 miles from the border.
The proposed Cline Mine would extract 40 tons of medium grade coal. That amounts to one 28-ton truck leaving the mine every eight minutes, 24 hours per day for 20 years.
"The stakes are high here," Dr. Hauer said. "Deposits would enter the United States in four to eight hours and would hit Flathead Lake in a day or two. Material leaving Flathead Lake is a fraction of what comes in because it's a big sediment trap. The highest impact will happen here."
A large concern for area scientists is the lack of baseline data on the Flathead River's existing water conditions. Without this data, the United States will have a hard time making a case against the mine and couldn't compare water samples from pre- and post-mine operations.
The 2007 Legislature allotted $300,000 to fund baseline data research because of the concern. Every one of Flathead County's state representatives supported the funding. Governor Schweitzer has been in talks with the Canadian government, and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has entered the fray.
But all the talks have yielded few results so far. The most recent news was from a British Columbia representative in Denver, Colo., who said that Canada was going to let British Petroleum do $100 million of drilling and testing for coal bed methane.
"For some reason or another, we don't seem prepared to present a case against the mine," State Senator Verdell Jackson said. "I don't think they will pay much attention to us if we don't have that baseline data."
Jackson met with people from British Columbia at two open meetings, and said that every assurance was made by Canada that the coal mine would not effect the status of the lake and river.
"The impression I got at the meetings is that the technology is not there yet to treat the water," Jackson said. "Coal bed methane is something that really scares me because of the amount of water used in that operation."
Legislators were supposed to join with Montana's Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger for more talks with the Canada government, but those talks were canceled when the state's budget battle began. The meeting hasn't been rescheduled.
Although scientists lack a wealth of baseline data for the North Fork of the Flathead River, researchers have studied Michele Creek in Canada, which is located below Coal Mountain. The basin's similarities to the Flathead basin in Canada offer a starting point for comparing the two streams.
In Michele Creek, sulfates were 18 times higher than in the Flathead River. Nitrates were 650 times higher. Selenium, which is toxic, was 57 times higher.
"Right now, I don't hesitate to drink the water out of the Flathead River," Dr. Hauer said. "After [the mine], I would not. The coal mine is an incredible threat."
Dr. Hauer also pointed to the possible problems with fish and wildlife if the mining takes place.
"The highest density of bull trout spawning is in the Flathead in British Columbia," he said. "About 37 percent of all spawning in the entire basin is along a stretch of river a few kilometers long - right below the mine sight."
Dr. Hauer noted the unique situation of northwest Montana's wildlife. All of the carnivores that were present when Lewis and Clark came through are still here.
"We are one of the few places that can say that," he said. "These animals don't recognize international borders, and that region is incredibly important because of its interconnectivity. We would not be what we are if not for the Flathead River in British Columbia. We need to be actively engaged."
The fallout from the mine could have significant ecological and economic effects. Tourism is a huge draw for Montana, and if the water quality eroded, the state could lose billions of dollars each year.
"It would be a disaster," Dan Barz, Flathead Lakers president said. "If you wiped out tourist and boating and fishing businesses, that would be a big bullet in the economy. It would be devastating to the valley."