Business leaders express frustration with process

Upon the conclusion of the Libby merchant-requested meeting Tuesday with U.S. Forest Service officials on the Montanore Mine permitting process, it was clear both sides want the same thing — a successful document that will survive a legal challenge.

In the front of the room were USFS officials — Acting Supervisor Pam Gardner, Project Lead Coordinator Lynn Haggerty, Forest Staff Officer Quinn Carver, Former District Ranger Malcolm Edwards and Program Manager Bobbie Lacklen — all of whom stressed the importance of producing “a bullet-proof” document that can sustain the scrutiny of legal beagles who represent environmentalists’ and others’ concerns. Scattered throughout the Fjord Room of the Venture Inn were business owners and concerned townspeople who have grown time-weary of this 10-year protracted process for permitting Montanore, a silver and copper mine south of Libby.

“We know people are frustrated with this long and complicated process. We are giving it a high priority,” said Haggerty who presented a PowerPoint presentation. “We want to do a job that is legally defensible. We know this will probably end up in court.”

Haggerty’s presentation indicated a target date of September for the Final Environmental Impact Statement and a draft Record of Decision. However, she left the window open the process could push into 2015.

“Ten years in the making. Who says when it gets done?” asked Charlotte Woods. “We need to have answers. This is absolutely not acceptable. Somebody needs to be sure to see that we get the answers.”

LeRoy Thom, who owns Montana Machine and admits he wants the business an open mine would bring, echoed Woods’ comments.

“This was a four-year project and now it’s officially 10 years,” Thom said. “We need to find a way to hold you accountable.”

Edwards, the former district supervisor, reminded Thom there are eight agencies involved in the process, from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Army Corps to the EPA to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Kootenai and Salish tribes.

“There are other agencies. We can’t hold the other agencies accountable. We’re not here to offer excuses, but to explain the process.”

Thom then expresses his frustration.

“We can’t get rid of you or we can’t vote you out of a job,” Thom said.

Robin Benson, who is a Libby City Councilwoman and member of the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce, said the delay is having a huge effect on the area economy.

“Your permitting process is crippling the Northwest,” Benson said.

Bill Avants is a man of few words, but voiced his discontent with the process.

“Yeah, they get paid whether we work or not,” Avants said.

Haggerty, the lead project coordinator, said she is working diligently to move the process along.

“Coordinating with the other agencies is the biggest job of the project,” Haggerty said. “No one wants this project completed any more than we do.”

Restaurateur Mike Munro, sitting up front, also expressed his weariness.

“We as a community are not here to beat you up,” Munro said. “But, we want this moved along. We’re close, but close could be another 10 years.”

Kit Branch stressed the urgency for completion now.

“Pretty soon it will be a moot point because there will be no one here to work,” Branch said.