Supporters hold rally for mine

New jobs. A more positive image. A

future.

The Montanore Positive Action Committee

wants many things for Libby. To that end they are sponsoring a

rally in support of the Montanore Mine Project Thursday, March

31.

The committee is made up of community

members with a few common goals that center around a better future

for Libby.

The March 31 event is to demonstrate

community support for the proposed Montanore Mine Project. However,

ask committee members about their intent and the first thing they

mention is a better future for Libby and Lincoln County.

Committee member KC Hoyer sees the

rally as a way to show that the community is ready to move away

from its asbestosis reputation.

“We want industry and jobs, but we’re

also saying we don’t have a black cloud over us,” she said.

The mine is, however, at the forefront

of the committee’s thoughts.

Pat Pezzelle has been following the

mine through its permitting process in its seventh year and feels

its time for a Record of Decision that would allow the mine to move

forward.

“I think this rally is important to

tell state and federal agencies we stand ready to provide the

support we need,” Pezzelle said.

A Record of Decision on the mine is

expected by year’s end. However, the story of the proposed silver

and copper mine has been a long one.

Mineral deposits were first discovered

in the Libby Creek area in 1983 by Noranda Minerals Corp. In 1993,

Noranda had all the necessary permits to proceed, but walked away

from the project in 2002.

Mines Management took over and the

National Environmental Policy Act process started over along with

the development of an Environmental Impact Statement. The Kootenai

National Forest must also approve the operation.

The project went through a public

comment period in 2009 on the completed draft EIS. This process was

extended.

Some have raised concerns about the

environmental impacts the mine could have.

The committee’s chairperson Alvin

Benitz lives in the Libby Creek area where the mine is proposed.

Benitz said he’s satisfied that the mine will not harm the place he

calls home.

“I don’t want to have my ground water

polluted,” he said. “The mine has built roads and has been a good

neighbor.”

Pezzelle also said he’s satisfied with

the environmental assessment and the safety of the mine.

Mines Management, Inc., parent company

of Montanore Mineral Corporation, has already spent millions of

dollars on environmental assessments and changed its plans to

satisfy concerns about the mine, he noted.

“I’m not willing to say tear that

mountain down,” Pezzelle said. “I’m still going to be able to hike

and go fishing there with the mine.”

The theme of the rally is “Jobs not

hand-outs, work not welfare.”

The mine is expected to create about

250 new jobs. The committee says this is only a starting point.

They point to a Western Economic

Services, LLC, a Portland-based company that conducts economic

impact studies throughout the Northwest, that says for every mining

job created, 3.3 support jobs will be created in the adjacent

communities. Mines Management projects the creation of an

additional 817 jobs in the communities of Libby and Troy besides

those at the mine.

As vice president of the Kootenai River

Development Council, Pezzelle said he has a responsibility to

support projects that will help create jobs.

“Every job we have makes this a better

place,” he said.

City of Libby councilmember Robin

Benson said she got involved with the rally because of the

potential job creation.

“In my role as a public servant job

creation is top priority,” she said. “Libby has the potential to

flourish once again. This is a step in the right direction. We

would like to move forward.”

Several speakers are planned for the

rally and state and Congressional representatives have been invited

to attend. Educational information on the mine will be available

for those who may not be familiar with the project.

The rally will be Thursday, March 31 at

4 p.m. at Fireman’s Park. Organizers hope to pack the park.

“Don’t sit on your couch and expect

your neighbor to go,” Hoyer said.