Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to Chapter 12 of the LUPC rules regarding land use district requirements for metallic mineral mining and Level C mineral exploration activities. NRCM has eight comments on the proposed rule revisions, some of which are major comments regarding LUPC’s proposal to remove sections of Read More
Metal Mining Pollution
Maine cannot afford any mining disasters. NRCM works to ensure that Maine state government enforces Maine's metal mining law if any companies decide to develop mines here. If any mining companies move beyond exploration and apply for a mining permit, NRCM works hard to ensure compliance with Maine’s strict mining law and rules, the toughest protections against mining pollution in the U.S.
DEP Mining Contractor Tightly Linked to Mining Industry
NRCM Calls on DEP to Change Process to Protect Public Interests NRCM News Release The Natural Resources Council of Maine today released documents showing that a contractor recently hired by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help rewrite Maine’s mining regulations is deeply connected to some of the world’s largest mining corporations, including Read More
Cleanup of Toxins Continues as Brooksville Ponders Taking Ownership of Callahan Mine Site
By Mario Moretto, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story BROOKSVILLE, Maine — The first phase of cleanup at the defunct, toxic Callahan Mine site is nearly complete, an environmental official told concerned residents here Wednesday. The cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, at the former mine operations site has taken longer than expected, said Read More
Mining Bald Mountain for Precious Metals Not Worth the Environmental Risk, Portland Speaker Says
by Seth Koenig, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — A Canadian environmentalist and mining expert said Thursday there’s almost no way Bald Mountain can be mined without polluting nearby water, potentially for thousands of years. Ramsey Hart of MiningWatch Canada was tapped as the keynote speaker for the Natural Resources Council of Read More
The Plan for New Mining Rules in Maine Spark Protests from Environmental Groups
by Susan Sharon MPBN news story This spring the Maine Legislature adopted legislation to revise rules for mineral mining at the request of timberland owner J.D. Irving. The Canadian company, which is Maine’s largest landowner, has identified a potential open pit mining site on land it owns on Bald Mountain in Aroostook County. But the Read More
Battle Over Bald Mountain
A controversial new law — aimed at the Aroostook County mount – loosens state regulations for open-pit mining. By Jeff Clark Down East Magazine news story July 2012 Bald Mountain is almost as tall as the pile of broken dreams it has created. Ever since a large, but low-quality, deposit of copper, zinc, gold, and Read More
Mining Bill Passes Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature
By Jen Lynds, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to change the state’s mining laws has been passed by lawmakers and has been sent to Gov. Paul LePage for his consideration. Rep. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, said Monday evening that LD 1853, An Act To Improve Environmental Oversight and Read More
Mining Bill Would Weaken System That Protects Maine’s Waters
by Matthew Scott Kennebec Journal op-ed As a resident of Belgrade and as a retired aquatic scientist on water quality and fisheries issues, I am writing to express my concern about L.D. 1853, a bill that would weaken protection for water quality and fish habitat when metal mines are permitted. As the bill stands, I Read More
Mining Track Record Brings Worries for Maine
by Ernest W. Hilton Bangor Daily News op-ed Jeff Reardon of Trout Unlimited recently wrote an OpEd in the BDN in opposition to a legislative initiative to amend Maine mining laws to facilitate open pit mining in the Bald Mountain area northwest of Ashland. His major premise was that the sulfide mineralization in Maine rock Read More
