[ChaseBallard]

There was a thread about this mine proposal awhile back, but I didn't see the new Methow Headwaters video shared. Check it out if you haven't already, and then take action at: https://www.methowheadwaters.org/take-action/

Methow Headwaters, the Wilderness Society and Conservation Northwest are also organizing a film screening and panel discussion about the threats presented by this industrial-scale mine proposal to the Methow and Lost River watersheds this coming May. If folks on here are interested, I'm happy to share more information as we pull the details together on that event.

 

[jake-e-boy]

https://www.energy.senate.gov/publi...-protect-methow-valley-headwaters-from-mining

 

[freestoneangler]

Why is it all these proposed mines are located in close proximity to headwaters?

 

[Old406Kid]

Why is it all these proposed mines are located in close proximity to headwaters?

So they can screw up the whole watershed instead of just a portion.

 

[Salmo_g]

Why is it all these proposed mines are located in close proximity to headwaters?

I'm no expert, and I don't know. I'll speculate that the geological processes that create mountain ranges concentrate minerals and metals with the movement of plate tectonics. Erosive processes slowly move lighter particles downhill and downstream. The valuable minerals and metals are heavy and tend to remain where deposited in mountainous headwaters. The particles that do move downstream are likely too widely dispersed to be economically mined. That's my speculative hypothesis.

 

[ChaseBallard]

Another example for your hypothesis, and for the current whack-a-mine game in Washington:

More: https://cascadeforest.org/stop-the-mine/

 

[Alex MacDonald]

ever notice that the companies proposing this are all Canadian firms? What, are their laws too strict for them to fuck up their own country?

 

[jeff bandy]

After their done extracting they can just fold up and run?

 

[Salmo_g]

ever notice that the companies proposing this are all Canadian firms? What, are their laws too strict for them to fuck up their own country?

Canada's economy has been mostly based on resource extraction, so there are lots of mining companies. With the gutting of the EPA, the US is likely looking more attractive as a place to mine, with less regulation, and the opportunity to contaminate at someone else's expense. The someone else being the American taxpayer, minus the 1% ers who are getting even more tax breaks. Ain't America great?

 

[g_smolt]

ever notice that the companies proposing this are all Canadian firms? What, are their laws too strict for them to fuck up their own country?

Canadian mining tax incentives encourage the juniors and midsize mining companies to incorporate in Canada. Expenses incurred in the process of mining in a foreign country by a Canadian entity are deductible at a far greater rate than pretty much any other country.

 

[freestoneangler]

So if the pristine mountains and their riparian corridors have many of the desired minerals that make our technologies work (and everyone seems to love our modern technologies), what options do we have? With or without the EPA, this is a conundrum. Everyone likes the idea of wind power, just not when the wind farm in in their back yard. World population continues to grow and with it demand for raw materials essential for modern living.

 

[jake-e-boy]

https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/new...how-valley-from-mining-advanced-by-committee-

 

[Salmo_g]

It will be interesting to see how far Cantwell's bill progresses in a Congress now dedicated to desecrating the environment for the hint of short term profit.

 

[o mykiss]

I've often thought we should bomb Canada just to pay them back for all the toxic shit that Teck dumped into the Columbia River for almost 100 years while the Canadian authorities turned a blind eye. But I grew up drinking water from the Columbia River so maybe am a little too sensitive about that.

 

[Deceased]

ever notice that the companies proposing this are all Canadian firms? What, are their laws too strict for them to fuck up their own country?

Well taking out of my ass with little hard data other than my own personal observation I'd say Canada environmentally is like the states about fifty or more years ago. A perfect example is their logging practices. I always have people tell me how unspoiled British Columbia is. Of course they rarely leave the main highway. Canada has left much timber in view of the common environment concerned person. However get behind a couple gates and get up in the hills to some headwaters to kayak some waterfall runs and you have a different story. It's like the moon. Total annihilation, zero buffers, massive trash and waste left behind. I was shocked at the scale of the devastation. Practices that in Washington would never fly totally go unchecked because it's less populated. There is simply nobody looking in the back. Companies are very smart as to not tarnish their image by raping close to where people go. Couple this with a very hungry micro hydro industry and you get a culture behind the environmental times. Massive resource extraction with little concern over the environment. Jobs are trumped and degradation standard. Still big beautiful country up there but being quickly worked on by resource intense industry.

 

[freestoneangler]

Companies are very smart as to not tarnish their image by raping close to where people go.

Interesting point. I remember the first drive my wife and I took to the OP (1985) and we were amazed how butt ugly sections of the highway were where the clear cut/slash piles came to the road. I remember my wife asking why in the hell they would do that (or be allowed to do that). I also remember thinking that the logging companies would do themselves a big favor in public opinion if they would simply leave large enough buffers such that 95% of the public would never see the ruins.

 

[Carter Burke]

The Methow area is huge with hunters many of whom would also be in opposition to mining in the area might be worth reaching out to that community as well.

 

[Deceased]

Interesting point. I remember the first drive my wife and I took to the OP (1985) and we were amazed how butt ugly sections of the highway were where the clear cut/slash piles came to the road. I remember my wife asking why in the hell they would do that (or be allowed to do that). I also remember thinking that the logging companies would do themselves a big favor in public opinion if they would simply leave large enough buffers such that 95% of the public would never see the ruins.

When I was a kid 101 was largely bounded by old timber. Not necessarily old growth (much of the Queets was logged in the 20's and 30's yet many seem to think it's old growth, nevermind the giant stumps, duh). Now it's pretty ugly around 101.

 

[Alex MacDonald]

Yeah, you drive up 101, and eventually you get to Forks.....

 

[jake-e-boy]

"The U.S. Forest Service is taking public comment on a mineral withdrawal for the Methow Headwaters until November 6, 2017."

https://www.methowheadwaters.org/take-action/