Commissioners, town officials talk mineral mining

Mining at Bald Mountain will be the focus of an informational meeting scheduled in Ashland on Thursday, Dec. 20.
“The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce and the towns of Ashland and Portage Lake have arranged an informational meeting for area residents on Dec. 20 at the Ashland Community School. This meeting will provide area residents an opportunity to learn more about the potential mining in the area of Bald Mountain and the processes that are required before mining can begin,” said Theresa Fowler, CACC executive director.
Fowler said there has been much speculation about the potential mining of this area and the effect it may have on the surrounding communities.
“This will be an opportunity for residents of the area surrounding Bald Mountain to learn more about the proposal and ask questions,” she said.
There will be representation from Aroostook Timberland LLC in attendance, in addition to municipal officials. Elected representatives have also been invited to attend.
“The Land Use Planning Commission is presently holding hearings and receiving written comment regarding amendments to Chapter 12 Land Use District Requirements for Metallic Mining and Level C Mineral Exploration Activities,” said Fowler.
Fowler explained the rezoning is required before there can be a request for a mining permit made to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Doors will open for the Ashland meeting at 6 p.m., with discussion getting under way at 7 p.m. For more information, call the CACC at 764-6561, Ashland Town Office at 435-2311 or Portage Lake Town Office at 435-4361.
In similar news, LUPC commissioners were on hand for a public hearing Dec. 11 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Campus Center. Present for the session were: Commissioners Durward L. Humphrey, James May and Gwendolyn Hilton; Planning Manager Samantha Horn Olsen; and staff member Sarah Griffen Carn.
“The purpose of the meeting is to gather information on revisions to Chapter 12 to reflect the mandate — LD1853 (An Act to Improve Environmental Oversight and Streamline Permitting for Metallic Mineral Mining in Maine) included many mandates, some department specific and some pertain to both (LUPC and DEP),” said Hilton.
About two dozen people attended the hearing, with several either expressing support for the proposed changes or opposition to mining entirely.
Comments in opposition included: “I’m against open pit mining in the state — you can’t undo the damage”  and “This law has been gutted and I hear the landowner wants further gutting, with no restrictions at all.” Those in favor responded with: “(Ashland area) desperately needs employment for their citizens” and “I’m not passionately against — we need jobs.”
Participants also expressed concerns over future water quality in northern Maine waterways and underground aquifers, impact on wildlife and the need for infrastructure improvements to ensure safe movement of mined minerals and added traffic to and from the site. An UMPI student who recently returned from a geology field trip to a mining operation in Bathurst, New Brunswick, was impressed with the use of technology there, but said long-term closure plans need to be in place for any mining operation from the beginning.
UMPI Professor Chunzeng Wang, whose geology students traveled to the Canadian mine, said there would be a public informational forum sometime next year on campus, with experts in minerals, mining and how to deal with closing a mine taking part in the discussion.
To amend Chapter 12, LUPC would remove any provisions related to permitting from rezoning procedures for metallic mineral mining activities.
“By Jan. 15, 2013, the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission shall amend its rules relating to procedures and requirements for changes to land use subdistrict boundaries for metallic mineral mining activities to remove any provisions related to the permitting of metallic mineral mining activities regulated under the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, Chapter 3, Subchapter 1, Article 9,” said Hilton.
Jeanie McGowan, an environmental geologist from Easton, said many of those hired won’t be locals and that the “pristine waters and natural history elements” of the area would be negatively impacted if mining were allowed.
“I think there’s shortsightedness. You need to do due dilligence,” said McGowan. “We need honesty but don’t expect it from anyone looking to do enterprise.”
Fowler also attended the meeting, and responded to comparisons with prior mining operations and the problems experienced with them.
“Maine has experienced bad mining but I believe that mine is over 100 years old. Now there’s technology that will allow mining using proper procedures. The new owners (Aroostook Timberland LLC) want to have a healthy forest because that’s part of their livelihood. They also have a healthy respect for the environment,” said Fowler. “By refusing mining in Maine does not allow for advancement.”
Hilton said rezoning was only a first step in the overall process necessary to obtain authorization to mine a parcel of land.
“Just because an application gets approved for rezoning, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll get a permit from DEP,” said Hilton.
Hilton told those in attendance they were welcome to submit additional comments, in writing, through Friday, Dec. 28, with a written rebuttal deadline set for Monday, Jan. 7, 2013.
A copy of the proposed rule changes may be viewed at the commission’s main office (18 Elkins Lane, Harlow Building, Augusta) or may be downloaded at www.maine.gov/doc/lupc under ‘featured links.’ Persons having questions may contact LUPC via e-mail at LUPC@maine.gov or call 287-2631.