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Get StartedA “yes” vote requires the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to ensure new mines prove their operations won’t require treatment of water polluted by mine waste.
A “no” vote keeps the Montana Code the same and does not introduce any requirements for permits regarding the pollution of water.
According to the Great Falls Tribune, the mining industry has contributed heavily to state and local economies, especially with jobs. The measure could lead to lawsuits that would cripple the mining industry in Montana., in opposition to I-186 (Learn more)
According to the Great Falls Tribune, the measure itself has several vague terms that would require further definition and may have conflicting legal standards. , in opposition to I-186 (Learn more)
According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, many business rely on clean water for their livelihood. This measure would protect those businesses without hurting already operating mines. , in support of I-186 (Learn more)
According to Montana Trout Unlimited, he state legislature has weakened mine regulation laws in the past few decades, and it has been estimated that mines like Zortman Landusky Mine and Beal MountainMine have cost taxpayers nearly $40 million in water treatment costs. This measure would eliminate these costs through tougher regulation and oversight., in support of I-186 (Learn more)
According to John Blodgett of Western News, Montana already has some of the most stringent mining permit requirements in the world and over the past 3 decades, at least 37 new state and federal laws have been enacted to ensure strict regulation of mining operations., in opposition to I-186 (Learn more)
This measure would require the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to deny permits for new mines unless mining companies prove that their “reclamation plans” will not pollute water sources.
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