Don’t approve proposed Pickett Mountain mine

To the Editor;

Wolfden Resources, a Canadian mining company, owns land zoned as a “protection district” near Mount Chase, the north gate of Baxter State Park and the entrance to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Wolfden wants Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission to change this zoning for a metallic mineral mine. This is not consistent with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan the commission must abide by.

In the plan it states the planning commission must “prevent the despoliation, pollution and detrimental uses of the water in these areas; and Conserve ecological and natural values” and “prevent residential, recreational, commercial and industrial uses detrimental to the long-term health, use and value of these areas and to Maine’s natural resource-based economy.”

I think approving this mine would go against all of these duties. 

Pickett Mountain Pond and the headwaters of the Mattawamkeag and Penobscot Rivers are of great cultural significance to the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseets. Given its potential to negatively impact these waterways, they are against this mine.  

The mine could fragment, destroy and degrade critical habitats for Atlantic salmon and Canada lynx, heritage fish waters for the eastern brook trout, and state designated inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat. It also could impact Pickett Mountain Pond, Mud Lake, Grass Lake and Pleasant Lake.

Plus, the headframe would be visible from Pickett Mountain Pond, Pleasant Lake and Mount Chase, which are popular hiking and fishing destinations in the area. It could also threaten Katahdin Woods and Waters designation as a dark sky park.

Do not approve the Pickett Mountain mine!

Kara Potter

Mount Chase