| HOME |  AREA ATTRACTIONS | OUTDOORS | EVENTS | COMMUNITY | PHOTO GALLERY | BUSINESSES |

Libby Montana News Archive

Senator Max Baucus concerned over Canadian open pit coal mining operation drainage into Kootenai River watershed Environmental group lists Kootenai River on their annual ‘America’s Most Endangered Rivers’ list by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio April 19, 2013 Montana Senator Max Baucus says he is concerned over the Kootenai River being considered to be one of "America’s Most Endangered Rivers". Baucus spearheaded efforts to fund the University of Montana study which has detected contaminants from Canadian mining operations in Elk River flowing into the Kootenai River. "The Kootenai River is part of our outdoor heritage in Montana and it’s our duty to make sure our kids and grandkids can enjoy prized trout fisheries like the Kootenai," said Baucus. Drainage from Elk Valley mines in Canada pose serious risks to the water quality in the Kootenai Basin and Baucus said he is doing all he can to encourage the Canadians to be good neighbors and work with us on a solution to the downstream impacts on Montana. In September 2012, Baucus wrote a letter to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton outlining concerns drainage from the Elk Valley mines present serious risks to the Kootenai Basin water quality and valued trout fisheries. The State Department raised concerns with the Canadian government and has committed to continuing to pressure British Columbia on the matter. Baucus has indicated he is interested in continuing addressing current downstream impacts from Canadian mining operations facing the Kootenai River as it flows into Montana. _____________________________________ By Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net, www.klcb-ktny.com. Related Links Baucus: "Kootenai River Designation is Troubling - Montana Senator Max Baucus website, April 17, 2013 Conservation Group Names Kootenai River One of Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers - By Dillon Tabish, Flathead Beacon, April 17, 2013 Kootenai River Among America’s Most Endangered Rivers - American Rivers - Toronto Globe and Mail; April 16, 2013

| HOME |  AREA ATTRACTIONS | OUTDOORS | EVENTS | COMMUNITY | PHOTO GALLERY | BUSINESSES |

All page content copyright 2012. All rights reserved. May not be used without permission.


LibbyMT.com
PO Box 940, Libby, MT 59923
406-293-3608
e-mail: info@libbymt.com