Mines threaten wilderness

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.

Among the wilderness areas enjoyed by Inland Northwest residents is Montana’s Cabinet Mountains Wilderness. Today, this wilderness faces an unprecedented threat from two massive mines, the Rock Creek and Montanore mines, which the Forest Service is about to permit.

The act defines “wilderness” as a place untrammeled, undeveloped, natural and with opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. What would large-scale mining mean for the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness?

Noise levels exceeding that of a jet, vibrations, industrial lighting and constant truck traffic would occur. A huge ventilation fan would be installed in the wilderness. It would be highly visible and noisy.

Long-term (1,300 years) and nearly complete de-watering of two wilderness streams important for bull trout would result. Rock Lake and St. Paul Lake, two of the most popular hiking destinations, would be drained or dried up.

Fish and wildlife, including bull trout, mountain goats, wolverines, lynx and grizzly bears, would be impacted. The enormous loss of grizzly bear habitat would eliminate the small population of bears in this wilderness.

The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness is about to be sacrificed to the mining industry unless those who care about it speak up.

Mary Costello

Trout Creek, Mont.