The mining regulatory bill signed by Gov. Paul LePage April 13 is a step in the right direction toward making Maine more business-friendly and helping build industry in the state. Long have business people complained that there are too many levels of bureaucracy in this state, hindering their attempts to bring jobs here, and this law change will help eliminate some of those barriers, at least for the mining industry.

It’s also necessary for a state law that was in dire need of updating, as its outdated provisions were not only putting unfortunate restrictions on would-be employers, but also did not reflect new environmental regulations.

State Geologist Robert Marvinney told the Associated Press recently that in the 20 years since the mining law was passed, the state has “adopted new storm water management, wastewater rules and quarry management regulations.”

The catalyst for the updated law now, after 20 years of letting it sit, is the discovery of gold, silver, copper and other metals in Aroostook County’s Bald Mountain, which means some new jobs may be created with this law in place ”“ though they’re years out, due to the permitting process.

Bald Mountain is owned by J.D. Irving Ltd., which found that mining there would “not be feasible” under the previous 1991 law, according to a recent Associated Press story. According to the interested parties, the old law did not take into account new technologies that allow for better treatment of groundwater affected by mining operations.

The new law updates the provisions to reflect current “best practices” in the industry, and requires a permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection that includes provisions to protect air and water, as well as animal life and habitats around the mining site, and requires monitoring of the site twice a year for at least 30 years after the mine is closed, to check for environmental impacts. Groundwater and surface water monitoring is required during the mine’s years of operation and at closure, and revenues to the state from mining will be set aside to pay for oversight of the operation.

As well, the law requires that “both the mining area and the affected area must be reclaimed with the goal that the affected area be returned to the ecological conditions that approximate pre-mining conditions.”

Maine has a long tradition of mining as an industry, dating back to the early 1800s, and we’re known for some of the fruits of our land, from granite to tourmaline. Mining jobs aren’t easy, even with the benefit of new technologies and equipment, and the permitting fee to open a mine in Maine now starts at $500,000, so there’s no reason to expect an overwhelming influx of mines.

Even so, this long overdue change is a good move on all fronts. Those who elected LePage to be a job creator should be proud of his support for this new law, as it certainly makes Maine more “open for business” for the mining industry than it was before.

And environmentalists can take comfort in knowing that the DEP will be the agency coming up with the new mining regulations, for approval by the Legislature, and the permitting process will be thorough, with consideration of the environment a key part of a company getting the OK to dig for Maine’s earthly treasures.

Ӣ Ӣ Ӣ

Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.