[troutman]

I’m home. Under the weather, so I will just describe the highlights.

People began arriving at 3:30. Not everyone could fit in the Hall, and protestors lined the highway.

Personally, I was glad for this, and I hope as friends and neighbors we keep talking.

It seems clear that open pit or mountain top removal will not ever be permitted. Northback will have to make a much more limited application. They promise selenium won’t be allowed to enter the watershed.

Opponents made up the big majority, and the proponents were loud at times. Many of my allies were disruptive and I didn’t like that. But, the government needs to understand how large the opposition is.

Maybe 90% that asked questions were opponents; ranchers, politicians, blackfoot, residents of CNP, professors, former mine workers.

One man worked all his life in mining around the world. He said the coal at Grassy Mtn. is poor quality compared to BC and not suitable for steel making.

Joe explained that he works in the mines in BC, and they are working hard at removing the selenium. A prof from U of L rebutted him to say that there is no referreed research showing that selenium can be removed or reduced in any meaningful way.

Proponents bragged about the mandate of 72% of CNP voters in the referendum. This is highly misleading.

Many talked about low water levels, that is getting worse due to climate change.

Many asked why foreign investors are being supported ahead of Albertans.

I write this as our skies are darkened by smoke.

Nature is a language, can’t you read?