Comments on: Rivers Vs. Hard Rock Mines http://bloodknot.net/2009/11/hard-rock-mines-and-the-american-fishery/ Online Fly Fishing Magazine Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:39:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Sal Valinus http://bloodknot.net/2009/11/hard-rock-mines-and-the-american-fishery/comment-page-1/#comment-237 Sal Valinus Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:26:19 +0000 http://bloodknot.net/?p=245#comment-237 Important article. I would add that there are many more dangers associated with metals in the water and sediments that are not presented in this article. New research documents metals effects on olfactory, homing, pre-spawn mortality, and even fear responses - some of which occur at extremely low concentrations. The precipitate often seen coating stream beds where extreme impacts have occurred are an obvious sign post. Unfortunately, the 1 law that was written to govern mining is from the 19th century. Of course multi-national interests are invested in keeping that antiquated bit of regulation as antiquated as possible. They argue that there are scores of other laws that regulate them now - like the Clean Water Act, and RCRA. I suppose that they are right to some extent. But, that doesn't fix the 40% of western streams that are adversely affected by their legacy of resource extraction. At some point, we have to realize that externalizing cost to the environment and calling it "profit" is arrogantly solipsistic and antisocial. Somebody has to clean up the mess and it won't be the guy with the yacht(s) that were extracted from those mines. Important article. I would add that there are many more dangers associated with metals in the water and sediments that are not presented in this article. New research documents metals effects on olfactory, homing, pre-spawn mortality, and even fear responses – some of which occur at extremely low concentrations. The precipitate often seen coating stream beds where extreme impacts have occurred are an obvious sign post. Unfortunately, the 1 law that was written to govern mining is from the 19th century. Of course multi-national interests are invested in keeping that antiquated bit of regulation as antiquated as possible. They argue that there are scores of other laws that regulate them now – like the Clean Water Act, and RCRA. I suppose that they are right to some extent. But, that doesn’t fix the 40% of western streams that are adversely affected by their legacy of resource extraction. At some point, we have to realize that externalizing cost to the environment and calling it “profit” is arrogantly solipsistic and antisocial. Somebody has to clean up the mess and it won’t be the guy with the yacht(s) that were extracted from those mines.

]]> By: Trudging Through the Mail | Blood Knot Magazine http://bloodknot.net/2009/11/hard-rock-mines-and-the-american-fishery/comment-page-1/#comment-153 Trudging Through the Mail | Blood Knot Magazine Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:58:48 +0000 http://bloodknot.net/?p=245#comment-153 [...] Lines Ed via e-mail from Foulhooked.blogspot.com on Hard Rock Mines and the American Fishery It’s true that irresponsible mining and especially abandoned mines contribute to various [...] [...] Lines Ed via e-mail from Foulhooked.blogspot.com on Hard Rock Mines and the American Fishery It’s true that irresponsible mining and especially abandoned mines contribute to various [...]

]]> By: Ed http://bloodknot.net/2009/11/hard-rock-mines-and-the-american-fishery/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Ed Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:49:01 +0000 http://bloodknot.net/?p=245#comment-31 It's true that irresponsible mining and especially abandoned mines contribute to various environmental and safety issues, but your article blurs the lines between the various, distinct segments of the mining industry and their similarly distinct impacts. Particularly, the article is titled "Hard Rock Mines..." but much of the information presented above applies primarily to metals and coal mining. Although not without its own fallibilities, hard rock (aggregate and dimension stone) mining rarely affects surface water chemistry significantly to the negative in the ways described above. Thanks for the article, abandoned mines are certainly a serious issue. Could you provide references/examples to the "good samaritan" issue you highlighted? Perhaps some of the more problematic sites could utilize superfund designations...? It’s true that irresponsible mining and especially abandoned mines contribute to various environmental and safety issues, but your article blurs the lines between the various, distinct segments of the mining industry and their similarly distinct impacts. Particularly, the article is titled “Hard Rock Mines…” but much of the information presented above applies primarily to metals and coal mining. Although not without its own fallibilities, hard rock (aggregate and dimension stone) mining rarely affects surface water chemistry significantly to the negative in the ways described above.

Thanks for the article, abandoned mines are certainly a serious issue. Could you provide references/examples to the “good samaritan” issue you highlighted? Perhaps some of the more problematic sites could utilize superfund designations…?

]]> By: FlySwinger http://bloodknot.net/2009/11/hard-rock-mines-and-the-american-fishery/comment-page-1/#comment-29 FlySwinger Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:44:57 +0000 http://bloodknot.net/?p=245#comment-29 It's hard for me to fish streamers that have lead weight wrapped on metal hooks and take such a firm stance against mining; but I guess it takes an extreme point of view to get people to take notice, so I'll leave it at that. Here's a link to a video by Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining that's perhaps more in the middle of the road. It's interesting that Yellowstone National Park and the 1872 Mining Law were established in the same year. http://bit.ly/92t4iP It’s hard for me to fish streamers that have lead weight wrapped on metal hooks and take such a firm stance against mining; but I guess it takes an extreme point of view to get people to take notice, so I’ll leave it at that.

Here’s a link to a video by Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining that’s perhaps more in the middle of the road. It’s interesting that Yellowstone National Park and the 1872 Mining Law were established in the same year. http://bit.ly/92t4iP

]]> By: Tweets that mention Hard Rock Mines and The American Fishery | Blood Knot Magazine -- Topsy.com http://bloodknot.net/2009/11/hard-rock-mines-and-the-american-fishery/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Tweets that mention Hard Rock Mines and The American Fishery | Blood Knot Magazine -- Topsy.com Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:36:48 +0000 http://bloodknot.net/?p=245#comment-28 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Langdon Cook and coastalrovers, No Pebble Mine!. No Pebble Mine! said: RT @coastalrovers: A sad, bad history-"Hard Rock Mines and the American Fishery" Bloodknot Mag http://bit.ly/8VOUtF #BristolBay [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Langdon Cook and coastalrovers, No Pebble Mine!. No Pebble Mine! said: RT @coastalrovers: A sad, bad history-"Hard Rock Mines and the American Fishery" Bloodknot Mag http://bit.ly/8VOUtF #BristolBay [...]

]]> By: Betty http://bloodknot.net/2009/11/hard-rock-mines-and-the-american-fishery/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Betty Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:47:29 +0000 http://bloodknot.net/?p=245#comment-5 Our congress is so involved in their constituents perks, hopefully this will open some eyes in Washington. Great article! Our congress is so involved in their constituents perks,
hopefully this will open some eyes in Washington.
Great article!

]]> By: Maribeth http://bloodknot.net/2009/11/hard-rock-mines-and-the-american-fishery/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Maribeth Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:37:07 +0000 http://bloodknot.net/?p=245#comment-4 Thank you....an amazingly informative article. One that will surely inspire us all to take action and realize our own accountablility. Thank you….an amazingly informative article. One that will surely inspire us all to take action and realize our own accountablility.

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