In 2008 the public sent 33,900 comments, most negative, to the Bureau of Land Management about a mine proposed on the northeast border of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. This outcry influenced the denial of a lease for exploratory drilling. Now the BLM has issued a draft environmental assessment favoring drilling permits for Ascot Resources for the same area.
A mine will destroy the experience of visiting the Goat Mountain area for hikers, fishers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. Habitat will be affected for salmon and other species. Toxins from a mine in this seismically active area could pollute the Toutle and Cowlitz rivers.
Write by Aug. 15 to BLM Oregon/Washington State Office Public Room, Attn: Goat Mtn. Prospecting Permits, 333 S.W. First Ave., Portland, OR 97204. Or email BLM_OR_Prospecting_EA@blm.gov (Note: an underscore ( _ ) must be placed in each blank space). Your comments can again halt the permitting process.
Stephen Glucoft
Longview