I was on a late spring ski tour in the San Juan Mountains, passing by old abandoned mine sites, often stopping in awe, imagining the will-power required to haul equipment up into these alpine valleys. We ought to be grateful to those who pioneered settlements in these mountains.
I first came to the San Juan’s when I was 18 to find myself, so this place is interwoven into my soul. But prospectors no longer explore these peaks. It is skiers, hunters and recreationists. That alone should tell us what our watershed needs most right now.
When a toxic plume from the Gold King Mine turned the Animas River orange, I, like many of us, asked, what can I do? Collectively, we spoke up. We attended meetings, penned letters, created short films and called our congressman.
Who’s at fault for the blowout no longer matters. What matters now are three things: 1) that we’ve allowed mining companies to extract minerals and left taxpayers to deal with their leftover messes; 2) that a solution is available to correct this immorality and; 3) that we need take advantage of this political momentum to create long overdue change.
Because we spoke up, the Environmental Protection Agency, after 30 years of inaction, will publish draft regulations this December for public review, requiring mining companies to provide financial assurance for mine reclamation once a mine goes dormant (something that is required for other extractive industries), creating an opportunity to ensure that another Gold King spill won’t happen in some other beautiful mountain watershed.
Want to fault the EPA for the Gold King blowout? Want an improved and healthier watershed? Here’s a stake in the game to guarantee that mining companies will be held accountable for their messes. This regulation will safeguard taxpayers and watersheds, and ensure that hardrock resources are managed more fairly, honestly and responsibly.
The right to mine does not outweigh the right to clean water. Beauty in our watershed is not a frill. It’s a necessity. Let’s not let there be another Gold King blowout. Let the EPA know!
Beau Kiklis
Durango
