Comment on Fording River Extension project

Dear Impact Assessment Agency of Canada:

I write as a citizen of the U.S. and downstream neighbor of the Elk Valley mines, including the Fording River Mine.

I grew up fishing Lake Koocanusa and can say first hand that the fish populations are not abundant as they were 20 years ago. On a recent fishing trip with my father, we decided to research our observations, only to find that the selenium levels in the reservoir were directly impacting the fish population.

The mines in the Elk Valley leach toxic levels of selenium into the Elk Valley, as you well know, but that pollution flows south into Montana's Lake Koocanusa (Koocanusa Reservoir)and Kootenai(y) River at levels that are out of compliance with Montana law. These are not just standards on paper, but are standards developed to protect aquatic life and ecosystems from harm. Authorizing the Fording River expansion would have a significant, negative impact on Montana's environment, our economy, and our outdoor way of life.

Montana is transitioning from an extractive economy to a tourism economy.  Almost all of our watersheds have been contaminated by industry, leaving our rural communities suffering both economically and in degraded public health, and the tax-payers footing the bill for companies that won't hold themselves accountable. It has come to my attention that the Swiss company responsible for Elk Valley Coal mines has yet to address multiple encounters and policy transgressions, and is now asking for a permit to expand their operations.

I firmly request a halt to the permitting of the Elk Valley Coal mines until the province has addressed, mitigated, and reduced existing selenium contamination, as mine expansions and additional mines will only increase the amount of pollutants in our waterways.

Further, I request that you share these comments with the province.

Sincerely,