Influence peddling and mining
To the editor:
Lance Tapley from The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting recently revealed in a variety of news outlets likely ethical violations of two of the most influential proponents for mining Bald Mountain. Many responses on social media dismiss the seriousness of these alleged violations: Lizzy Reinholt, a political strategy consultant says, “There is a whole lot of nothing in this story. Lawmakers — D’s and R’s — do stuff like this all the time.” Sen. Bob Dechesne says, “An amazingly fact-free story, starting with a completely erroneous headline.” Former Representative Andy O’Brien says “How many legislators go on the Maine Development Foundation tour to get wined and dined? I know I did my first term.”
The facts are that events did occur as Tapley reported them. Sen. Thomas Saviello did fly with Irving lobbyists Jim Mitchell and Anthony Hourihan in a plane rumored to belong to Jim Irving to tour the Bald Mountain site. Rep. John Martin did receive a substantial reduction of a debt owed to an Irving company in a bankruptcy settlement while he was sponsoring the bill to weaken environmental protections on open-pit mining in Maine.
Whether or not these events should justify action by the Ethics Commission, they reflect serious ethical issues that are just the tip of the iceberg of successful influence peddling by big multi-national corporate interests in Maine. Saviello chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Martin serves on it. Despite overwhelming opposition from the public, this committee issued a majority ought-to-pass report on LD 750, the bill that makes it easier, cheaper, and more profitable for J.D. Irving to do open-pit mining at Bald Mountain. It allows subsurface mining near and under almost all of Maine’s lakes, rivers, and streams; allows subsurface mining near and under all Maine coastal waters; allows mines within 1/4 mile of all public lands, including state parks, wildlife management areas and public reserved lands; tailings impoundments, the most dangerous type of mine waste disposal facility; gives DEP enormous discretion to complete the rules with no further legislative or public oversight; and doesn’t protect taxpayers from paying for a mining disaster.
In addition to toxins such as sulfuric acid and arsenic released from the rock into the environment, according to http://en.hesperian.org, “Chemicals used in mining and processing minerals contaminate the land, water, and air, causing health problems for workers and people living near mines. Toxic chemicals used in mining include cyanide; sulfuric acid; solvents for separating minerals from ore; nitric acid; ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (“ANFO”) used in blasting tunnels; heavy metals such as mercury, uranium, and lead; gasoline, diesel fuel, and exhaust fumes from vehicles and equipment; acetylene for welding and soldering.”
We have one more chance this legislative session to protect the water quality of the Fish River chain and the sustainable sports economy it supports. Contact your legislators and urge them to vote “No” on LD 750 when it will soon come before the full legislature.
Alice Bolstridge
Presque Isle