It is time for the Maine Legislature to take another look at state laws affecting the mining industry.
Mining is poised again to become an important part of our state’s economy, where the potential development of known mineral deposits could employ hundreds of people.
Let me share with you some of the things I know about Aroostook County. It is where I was born. It is where I spent some of my formative years and learned to appreciate the great outdoors. I visit as often as I can and try to keep up with what is happening in The County.
Aroostook County has been hit hard by the downturn in the economy and is continuing to suffer from economic stagnation. The County’s unemployment rate is higher than the state average. More than 2,500 jobs were lost in the last five years. Sons and daughters are not going home. Talented people are migrating south.
These trends must and can be turned around.
Throughout our history, Maine people have faced economic adversity and challenges. And, we have risen time and again by starting businesses, developing solutions and inventing products recognized the world over. We should be proud of this entrepreneurial history and continue to encourage it, particularly now.
People often ask me: How does Cianbro continue to succeed during these difficult times? The answer is simple — it is all about our people. It is about their willingness to embrace change, take nothing for granted and recognize that our future is what we make it. Our primary focus is to develop sustainable strategies that provide our people and, in turn, our company with growth opportunities.
The same holds true for Maine’s economy. I am certain that the state’s economic success begins with our citizens — families, friends, neighbors and co-workers believing in themselves, their capabilities and their capacities to adapt, compete and win.
People lucky enough to call Aroostook home emulate these qualities. They have been through difficult times and are committed and determined to renew and revitalize their economy. They understand how vital it is to welcome new businesses and create new opportunities.
They also know that economic development opportunities, those that offer significant long-term job growth and revenue, do not come along every day, certainly not in Maine.
That is why several Aroostook County legislators are banding together to support changes to Maine’s mining laws. It is also the reason so many people from Aroostook are supporting legislative action to change the law.
Revising state mining laws could pave the way for an industry that would teach new skills, diversify local economies and add quality jobs.
Now is the time to make these changes so Aroostook County can begin to explore the
possibilities that mining might bring.
These historically difficult times call for bold action on the part of our leaders. They must balance onerous regulations that restrict commerce with the preservation and protection of our natural resources.
I believe our leaders will provide the guidance and direction to find the appropriate balance.
Laws are not pushed through; quite the contrary. Our state mandates a comprehensive process for developing and implementing rules that includes extensive public input. Should legislation pass, it could take up to two years before rules are finalized and mining development begins. That is why our legislators need to act now.
One more thing I know about the people of Aroostook — they care about their land, air and water. They value the natural beauty that surrounds them. It is one of the many reasons so many choose to live in The County.
Those living in Aroostook now, along with those of us who keep a piece of our heart there, will not tolerate destruction of our resources. And, unless things have changed since I was a boy, we will all watch closely to be sure that does not happen.
Peter G. Vigue is chairman and CEO of Cianbro.
Peter Vigue: Great letter but I’m afraid that the road to economic improvement in Aroostook Co. will be challenged by every environmentalist within a 500 mile radius capable of filing an injunction or lawsuit. Businesses need a way to streamline the process and not be delayed by years of costly challenges that will result in a perpetuation of poverty and lost opportunities in Aroostook Co.
This is the 4th or 5th piece about the proposed legislation that would impact the State’s mining laws that has been presented in this Paper (articles and opinions). In all instances it is implied that the current regulations are so onerous, stifling, and/or economically prohibitive as to be the only reason why this opportunity has not been pursued in the past.
What exactly is the nature of the current regulations that automatically thwart what some are touting as the biggest economic opportunity for Aroostook and the State? The current laws and regulations do not prohibit the extraction of minerals. If there is such an obvious need to make changes, then the reason for the changes should be equally as obvious. Aside from the convenient “…Maine’s laws and regulations do not make it easy to do business…” sentiment, the proponents of this new legislation have put forth nothing substantive in the press to explain how or why current laws are an impediment.
It is hard to believe that whatever the added or differential cost to the project is by conforming to current laws has been the sole reason that this opportunity has not been pursued in the past.
This resource has been known to exist for nearly 50 years. Why was this not pursued before 1991 when the current laws went into effect? Prior to that year, there were 1-2 periods where demand, costs, and infrastructure (and lack of environmental burden) were favorable for the extraction of these minerals. Much more so than today.
There is a good likelihood that this opportunity, in the eyes of those knowledgeable in the mining industry, is “close but no cigar”. Enough of the resource to garner some interest (nearly 50 years ago), but not enough to support the investment to pursue.
So when one cuts through the smokescreen of “look at all the jobs this will create”, one will find a thin margin opportunity. Being a thin margin opportunity, it will attract a certain business-person profile whose strengths are maneuvering in the thin margin regime. Their strong points are exploitation, short term gain, and a cut and run philosophy. Hardly the traits that would nurture sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. Hardly the traits of the good people of Aroostook County and this State.
Rather than roll out the red carpet for a snake oil salesman – complete with the rollback of rules and the tabling of taxes (can you hear him knocking?) – why don’t we pull up a chair to the kitchen table and figure this opportunity out for ourselves?
I would like people who support mining to go to:
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/08/ff_madmaxtown/all/1
or
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/15/nation/la-na-demolished-town-20110215
or
http://www.offroaders.com/album/centralia/centralia.htm
or
http://www.offroaders.com/album/centralia/chronology.htm
There is a reason for strong mining-related regulation. I’m not sure we wish to trade a few dollars for every mountain top in Maine as they have done in West Virginia the second poorest State in the Nation (following Mississippi)
As a boy I knew some of the people of Pitcher Oklahoma. They were proud of their high school football team, friendly to outsiders, and hard workers to a man.
Folks have a choice. I know the people of Pitcher wish they had the information we have before they made theirs.
How does Mr. Vigue do it? He’s like a one man dynamo for construction projects!
In the 50s, the President of General Motors said “What’s good for General Motors is good for the country” . Vigue seems to believe that by raping the land and building the Canadian Shortcut across Maine (both of which add money to his company’s war chest while contributing little or NOTHING to the people of Maine) that this will help Maine. There will be temporary increase in construction jobs (as Cianbro no doubt will build the bridges, lay the pipelines in the “energy corridor” next to the road, do the engineering and figure out half a dozen more ways to get a thumb in the pie), but in the long term the rich farmland of Aroostook County will look like the strip mines in Appalachia and out west. The new road he wants will be great – for Canadians. Cianbo & partners will collect the $100-$200 proposed tolls. Pete – what’s good for Cianbro is NOT good for Maine. What pads YOUR pocket steals from ours.
“Mining is poised *again* to become an important part of our state’s economy…”
Mr. Vigue, please share with us where and when mining was an important part of our state’s economy so that we might look into the effect it had, both economically and environmentally. The two issues are a balancing act and knowing that we have history with mining will help those of us with concerns about both investigate the results with a mind to deciding whether we support the current proposal.
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A powerful , eloquent and even persuasive narrative about the people of Aroostook. WE need more voices for rural Maine. So much top down policy isn’t about or for rural Minae. We are the forgotten.
I was with you right up to the part where you suggest that giving JD Irving free rein on metal mining at Bald Mountain would be good for anyone or anything the people of Aroostook need or value.
This Bill has been advanced on 3 false premises:
(1) that metal mining has chnaged since 1991 and is now more eco friendly
(2) that the 300 jobs created will be jobs for peopl ein Aroostook
(3)that LURCs minining regs have somehow prevented or discouraged minining unreasoanbly.
The truth as you well know, which makes your essay so disappointing is:
(1) the fundamental process of extracting metal from sulfide has not chnaged one bit and that is what makes mining a top generator of toxins and a top poisoner of headwaters and groundwaters . There are no controls posisble on mercury emissions into the air.
(2) modern mining invoves a lot of high tech highly specilaized engineers who will make up the overwhelming majority of any mining jobs..people form out of state who do this at mines around the world..There will be very few jobs for Mainers and those that are available, as you know very well, will the lowest paying, dirtiest, most dangerous.
(3) LURC since 1991 has allowed metal minining via develepment district process which takes very careful account of impacts on other uses and insures proper buffers and boundaries. There is nothing in the exisiting LURC mining reg which is old fashioned or excessive. Any streamlining to eliminate duplication among other jursidctions can easily be done in the context of the existing LURC rule. Owners were allowed under the LURC to explore documented copper at bald mountain but decided it was unprofitable and abandoned the effort.The law you are endorsing and its move to DEP is much more than streamlining..it is a ticket to profiteering.
We need heroes, Mr. Vigue. And you have been a hero to so many in Maine. Someone who has worked their way up to head one of the finest and most reputable companies in America. If I see Cinabro’s name ( or Reed & Reed’s) on a project I know it will be well engineered, well built.
It is very disappointing to see you squandering that good will on initiatives that are about corporate profits at the expense of the public interest. You have been a key architect of Maine as “kleptocracy” of Maine as “corporatocacy”. You have expended all of your good will capital on a road with false promises and a mine with false promises.