WIN AT IDAHO DEQ

This past summer the Idaho Mining Association initiated negotiations with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to change Idaho ground water protections. The IMA wanted exemptions allowing for an increase in pollution to aquifers around mines.

Facing this threat, the Caribou Clean Water Partnership took action. Coby Tigert, the Partnership coordinator who attended the entire process, offered testimony to the Board in November about the imminent harm to water quality by accepting IMA proposed changes. Additionally, the Idaho DEQ received over 250 emails and post cards from members of the Partnership asking not to allow the mining exemption. Partners spoke out and the DEQ Board listened!

Meeting in November, the Board struck down proposed alterations by the IMA and sent the rule back into negotiations. This move allows us more time to argue for stronger protections in the rule.

Congratulations to all for making a difference on this important issue!

SMOKY CANYON EXPANSION

The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed expansion of the Smoky Canyon mine complex was released at the end of October.

The document contained over a thousand pages of new materials and technical reports. Given only 30 days to review the long report, we quickly generated almost 200 formal requests for an extension. These many requests resulted in an additional 30 days of review. Comments are now due on December 26. Your letters were effective!

The FEIS contains many flaws that will allow continued degradation of water quality from selenium and other contaminants. Selenium contamination to water and lands will continue to increase for decades if the expansion plan is approved.

We will be sending out an action alert soon to encourage your comments. Our comments on this mine plan may change the way the agencies handle phosphate mining and protect water in the future. Take action when you receive the alert!

NEW AD CAMPAIGNS

A communications grant has enabled the partnership to produce paid media to spread our message about the harmful effects of selenium contamination.

We have produced two campaigns that communicate a different tone, but a similar message. One series of ads focuses on members of the partnership. These ads communicate the concern of our partners and the real life effects of continued pollution from phosphate mining.

The second series is more blunt. Our research showed that using a bold headline such as “Selenium Kills” with impactive images had a strong effect on viewers. We need people to know that selenium is a serious problem that will not go away without sustained clean up effort and work.

The ads have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and on billboards. The result has been successful with many more concerned people logging onto our website for information and action.

The Caribou Clean Water Partnership is fortunate to have many active, passionate members. While all of our members help this cause, a few members have taken extra initiative in the effort to have phosphate mining operators and resource management agencies clean up selenium contamination.

Charlotte Dadabay of Pocatello, ID is a great example of a member who has gone the extra mile. Some notable actions Charlotte has taken to help the campaign and to generate awareness include hosting a house party, writing a letter to the editor, submitting a letter requesting a FEIS comment period extension, recruiting other people to submit FEIS comment period extension letters, and writing a letter to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality opposing the ground water rule change.

It is the dedicated effort of partners like Charlotte that has given the Caribou Clean Water Partnership momentum and led to our wins this year. Thank you Charlotte and thanks to all of our members for your continued efforts to protect clean water.

The Caribou Clean Water Partnership is going to be one year old soon. Take a moment and consider what we have accomplished in the past year.

Since its founding, the partnership has grown from a small handful of partners to over 520 members in 41 states and even places such as Canada and England! The partners in this cause come from many walks of life with many various interests. What unites us is our deep concern about clean water. Water is one resource we cannot afford to pollute.

The past year has seen many house parties, civic presentations, and action in the outdoors. The partners have worked on re-establishing wild wetland habitat, developing hiking trails in Roadless Areas, and collecting scientific data for further research.

We have also created a successful web site that has attracted over 7000 views. The site has become a common resource for many government agencies and groups dealing with similar water issues. We have also created many other publications and communication tools. The Partnership has participated in important press events and raised a voice of concern in many letters to the editor.

We still need more help. We encourage all to stay active during the coming year. Your participation makes a difference. Because of your actions, we are having a powerful influence for clean water. Thanks to all who support this cause.

END OF YEAR DONATIONS

As we approach the end of the year, many of you are preparing charitable donations. The Caribou Clean Water Partnership has been fortunate to have solid financial support this past year. We would welcome additional support from our partners and others. If you are in a position to donate, please do so today. If you can encourage others to give as well, it will make a great difference for clean water. Donations are managed by our partner, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. 100% of your donation goes to the clean water cause.

If this was forwarded to you, and you would like to join the Caribou Clean Water Partnership and receive these mailings directly, Join for free on our website.