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Visions for Montana's economy clash in fight over Initiative 186
The initiative, if approved, would enact new requirements that would allow the state to deny hard rock mining permits that do not include sufficient measures to prevent or treat water pollution.
The controversy over ballot Initiative 186 seems to be about two competing visions for Montana's future economy, and water quality underlies them both.
The ballot measure, if passed, would amend the state's 1971 Metal Mine Reclamation Act to provide for an additional $115,000 to $118,000 in annual revenue for Montana's Department of Environmental Quality. The money would be used to analyze pollution cleanup plans in new mining permits.
The initiative supported by the Yes for Responsible Mining coalition is backed by Montana Trout Unlimited, among others. David Brooks is TU's executive director...
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