Montana states concerns over B.C. mine proposal

KALISPELL, Mont. – State environmental and wildlife agencies have sent an 18-page letter to British Columbia officials listing concerns about a proposed coal mine north of Glacier National Park.

“It’s page after page of concerns,” said Hal Harper, chief policy adviser for Gov. Brian Schweitzer. “It’s quite extensive and specific.”

In recent years, Canadian officials have declined to give Cline Mining Co. a mining permit in the disputed area, but the company has applied for another one.

Cline wants to remove a mountain of dirt overlying the Foisey Creek coal deposit, a plan being evaluated by the province’s environmental office.

Among the top concerns is that the timeline set forth by the Toronto-based Cline “does not adequately allow for a comprehensive environmental review,” Harper said. Montana officials expect it could take up to three years to collect baseline data about the area surrounding the mine, but Cline wants to be in full production by December 2007.

State officials also are concerned that the regulatory process in Canada does not fully take into account the effects of other development in the region.

“Cumulative impacts will be addressed,” Kathy Eichenberger, the province’s liaison to Montana’s Flathead Basin Commission.