To the editor:
Culminating years of exploration by Maine geologist John S. Cummings, Superior Mining Company, in 1977, announced the discovery of a copper, zinc, silver and gold deposit in the western slopes of Bald Mountain. The site is just 10 miles from Portage Lake — as the crow flies. In sheer size, the estimated 36 million tons of ore is one of the largest base-metal discoveries in North America. A 1981 report by the New England River Basins Commission (NERBC) entitled St. John River Basin Overview estimated the land area which could be scarred and scrapped by a mine, ore concentrating mill, and tailings disposal site would be 5,000 acres, or nearly 8 square miles of forested wilderness. That’s 1.4 times the surface area of Portage Lake!
According to the NERBC, a prospective mine would be an open pit about 2,500 feet in diameter and 800 feet deep. It would have a life of 15 to 20 years demanding a workforce of 200 to 300 people while operating full-speed; another temporary force of similar size would be employed during the construction phase.
“The major water-related problem regarding development of the Bald Mountain site is discharge of process water, pit collected groundwater and precipitation, and leachate from tailings storage.”
Streams originating in this region are small and classified as Class A water bodies (the highest classification) which, at the beginning of deliberations between the developer and the State over water discharge needs, meant they could receive no discharges of any kind. The Legislature modified the stream classification laws to allow discharges “equal to or better than the existing water quality of the receiving waters.”
In 1986, the developer could not meet the modified standard either. Superior Mining then considered piping up to three million gallons of wastewater per day “about 20 miles southeast to the lower stretches of the Machias River or perhaps a few miles further to the main stem of the Aroostook River.” However, due to subsequent classification upgrades, the nearest stretch of the Aroostook today that could legally be used to “carry off” wastewater would be just below the Rt. 11 Bridge near Sheridan Plantation.
The U.S. Geological Survey and Maine DEP monitored baseline water quality conditions in Bald Mountain area watersheds from 1979 to 1984.
Four data-collection sites measuring stream flow and water quality in the Fish River watershed were Clayton Stream at the outlet of Clayton Pond, Bald Mountain Brook, Bishop Mountain Brook, and Fish River at the inlet to Fish River Lake. Water quality data were also collected on the Machias River and Greenlaw Stream, both of which are tributaries of the Aroostook River.
Inspection of the water quality data (USGS Open-File Report 85-174) for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, suspended sediment, and other parameters demonstrate the area’s surface water is pristine and excellent habitat for brook trout and other aquatic life.
In 1992, the University of Maine sponsored a conference on Regulating Mine Wastes in Maine to provide an overview of Maine’s newly-revised mining standards. Rock Funston of BHP Minerals, a discussion panelist, said “unless the issues that I have addressed are addressed by the State, not only is it unlikely that there will be a mining boom in Maine, but there is a real danger that the three mines now being contemplated [including Bald Mountain] will not actually be developed.” As it turned out, Rock’s prophecy came true.
In 1999, Great Northern Paper Company sold 981,000 acres of Maine timberland to New Brunswick’s J.D. Irving Ltd. Bald Mountain may have been part of that deal. In any event, it’s now part of the Irving Empire’s industrial holdings. As a side note, I should point out that gold prices have soared to striking heights over the past decade.
In 2012, the Irvings, Canada’s wealthiest family, pulled the right levers to get a bill through the 125th Legislature to “streamline” permitting for metallic mining. That’s code for making it easier, despite certain lingering environmental issues.
The Maine DEP has contracted the services of an out-of-state consultant to help the agency develop detailed rules to assist in administering the new law. DEP Commissioner Patricia Aho has made assurances that in the rulemaking process “there will be multiple opportunities for public comment.”
Steve Sutter
Presque Isle
