Hecla CEO not a 'bad actor'

To the editor:

As a Lincoln County resident, I am sorely disappointed with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Governor’s Office deciding to label Phil Baker, CEO of Hecla Mining, a “bad actor.”

The Rock Creek and Montanore mines are crucial to Lincoln County’s future. Mining provides family wage jobs that few other industries can match. While I am concerned about the environment, Hecla Mining has a strong and consistent record of being accountable for cleaning up after themselves and are currently paying for the reclamation of the old Troy Mine. This speaks for itself — Hecla cares about the environment and adheres to their strong and consistent reputation of environmental compliance.

—Amber Carvey ,

Libby