Comment on Fording River Extension project

Dear Impact Assessment Agency of Canada:

I am a citizen of the U.S. and a downstream neighbor of the Elk Valley mines, including the Fording River Mine. As is well known, the mines in the Elk Valley have been leaching toxic levels of selenium into the Elk Valley for many, many years, with that pollution then flowing south into Montana's Lake Koocanusa and Kootenai River at levels that are seriously 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, and fish in the downstream U.S. regularly show excessive levels of selenium when caught. Authorizing the proposed Fording River mine expansion now would have an additional significant negative impact on Montana's environment, our economy, and our outdoor way of life.

I urgently request an immediate halt to all permitting of the Elk Valley Coal mines until the province has addressed, mitigated, and reduced to acceptable levels the existing selenium contamination, as additional mines and the currently proposed mine expansion will only increase the unacceptable amount of pollutants in our waterways.

I also request that you share these comments with the province.

Thanks very much for your consideration.

Sincerely,