Op/ed: Faith leaders support Initiative 186

We are a group of pastors and faith leaders from many different perspectives across our great state of Montana writing to express our strong support for Initiative I-186 which is called Yes for Responsible Mining. The purpose of this initiative is to give our state the power to deny any new hardrock metal mining (eg..gold/silver/copper) permits that would create permanent water pollution. This does not apply to coal, oil, or gas operations. This initiative is important and necessary because our waterways and landscape are at risk under current laws.

We can certainly point to the obvious mining disasters such as the Berkeley Pit in Butte and the Mike Horse Mine above Lincoln from decades ago. However, there are also numerous modern mines across our state which are adversely affecting the landscapes around them through the contamination of both surface and ground water that will need to be treated for generations or possibly forever. Examples of these include the Zortman Landusky Mine by Fort Belknap, the Kendell Mine between Lewistown and Havre, the Beal Mountain Mine above Fairmont Hotsprings, and the Basin Creek Mine above Helena.

Mines like these contaminate water for drinking, agriculture, ranching and recreation and they negatively impact the communities and economies which are connected to them, not to mention all of the plants, animals and aquatic life that are part of the downstream ecosystems.

We are aware that mining is an important part of our state's economy and heritage and that there are mines operating responsibly in relation to the water and landscape around them. This initiative does not apply to current mines and it does give a viable and reasonable path for mine permits in the future.

As members of multiple spiritual and faith perspectives, we all have a call and responsibility to be caretakers and stewards of the earth, the landscape we inhabit, and all of the living plants and creatures that are part of it.

We in Montana are aware that the landscapes and waterways that give life to all things are the most precious resources of our state. I-186 is a clear and tangible way to be good stewards of our water resources and to help ensure the health and livelihood of all people and life for generations to come. We know that mining is important for our modern way of living, and we believe that I-186 will promote responsible mining that is more in line with our strong values of stewardship and care of the earth.

I-186 is important because we know that many mining companies are owned by out of state and international corporations that often have to answer to interests outside of the future and health of our state. This initiative gives us protection from short-sighted and exploitive decisions that might negatively impact our water and land for generations to come.

We reject the accusations that this initiative is driven by extremists or out of state interests. The writers and supporters of I-186 are local conservationists, both democrats and republicans who care about clean water and the future of our state.

We urge all people of Montana to vote yes on I-186 as an expression of faith and to be responsible stewards of the land we live in and of the clean water that gives life to all things.

Rev. John Lund, ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Missoula

Rev. Joseph Carver, Catholic, Missoula

Laurie Franklin, Spiritual Leader and Senior Rabbinic Intern, Congregation Har Shalom, Missoula

Rev. Arne Bergland, ELCA, Helena

Pastor Alan Hilberg, First Christian Church, Missoula

Rev. Jean Collins, St. James' Episcopal Church, Lewistown

Rev. Val Zdilla, Resurrection University Catholic Parish, Bozeman

Rabbi Allen Secher, Jewish, Whitefish

Rev. Laura Folkwein, United Church of Christ, Missoula

Pastor Jim Heikes, Hope United Methodist Church, Billings

Pastor Dee Anna, United Methodist Church, Boulder

Teresa Henry, First United Methodist, Missoula

Rev. Susan K. DeBree, United Methodist, Helena

Rev. Thomas Lee, ELCA, Missoula

Thyrza Zabriskie, St James Episcopal Church, Bozeman

Rev. Kendra Wilde, ELCA, Helena

Rev. Tom Peterman, ELCA, Missoula

Mr. Ira Smotherman, Methodist, Bozeman

Roxanne Berg-Metivier, Montana Association of Christians, Missoula

Joan Brandvold Schmidt, Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church, Great Falls

The Board of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Missoula

The Governing Council of Open Way Sangha Missoula, Buddhists: Dharmacharya Rowan Conrad, Dharmacharya Greg Grallo, Director Nicole Dunn, Peggy Mallette, William Tanke and Steve Zellmer

David E. Anderson, Lay Pastoral Associate, ELCA, Nathanael-Volmer Lutheran parish, Dagmar

Pamela Mavrolas, Helena Big Sky Unitarian Universalist Board Member

The Rev. Roxanne Klingensmith, St. James Episcopal Church, Bozeman

Barbara Arensmeyer, Lay Pastoral Associate, ELCA, Trinity Lutheran Church, Choteau

Rev. Mark R. Ramseth, ELCA, Bozeman-President Emeritus, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio

Rev. Carol L Ramseth, ELCA, Bozeman

Rev. Tony Rhodes, ELCA, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Townsend Rev. Kim Woeste, Chaplain/Director of Spiritual Life and Church Relations, Rocky Mountain College, Billings

Rev. R Mark Taylor, ELCA, Plentywood Lutheran, Plentywood

Jasmine Krotkov, Quaker, Montana Gathering of Friends, Great Falls

The Rev. Connie Campbell-Pearson, Episcopal, Bozeman

Rev. Duffy Peet, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bozeman

Rev David Munson, United Church of Christ, Red Lodge

Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula, United Methodist Church, Stevensville

Pastor Andrew Wendle, ELCA, Eidsvold Lutheran Church, Somers

Dr. Jennifer Yocum, Senior Pastor, University Congregational Church of Missoula

Rev. Aprille Jordan, ELCA, Missoula

Rev. Todd Scranton, Grace United Methodist, Missoula

Mary Jo Quinn, SCL (Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth), Pastoral Assistant, Blessed Trinity Catholic Community, Missoula

Rev. Ken Olson, ELCA, Lewistown

Rev. Tom Schlotterback, ELCA, Billings

Rev. Jean Larson, ELCA, Missoula

Sister Cecily Schroepfer, OSF, Roman Catholic, Billingser Marya Grathwohl, OSF, Roman Catholic, Billings

Beverly J. Larson, ELCA Deacon, Kalispell

Duane Larson, ELCA, Retired Fire Chief, Kalispell

Rev. Barry Padget, United Methodist Church, Missoula

Rev. Stephen R. Schmidt, ELCA, Hope Lutheran Church, Bozeman

Rev. Chris Flohr, ELCA, Missoula

Rev. Carl Rohr, ELCA, Ronan

Rev. Dave Peters, ELCA, Bozeman

Rev. Miriam Schmidt, ELCA, Big Sky

Rev. Brad Ulgenes, ELCA, St. John's Lutheran, Helena

Rev. Ron Martin-Dent, ELCA, Polson

Rev. Stan Hoobing, ELCA, Shelby

Rev. Rob Nedbalek, Freedom in Christ Prison Ministry, Deer Lodge

Rev. Henry Littlehales, Disciples of Christ, Missoula

Rev. Daniel Disch, ELCA, Missoula

Rev. Henry Littlehales, Disciples of Christ, Missoula

Rev. Daniel Disch, ELCA, Missoula