Article published Jan 30, 2008

Hasty generalization

In a recent letter, Rib Gustafson complained about "environmentalists, especially of the fanatic kind" obstructing "any development" of our natural resources. To whom is he referring?

Is it landowners concerned about the impacts of oil and gas drilling on their private land? Is it farmers and ranchers concerned about impacts from coal bed methane? Is it Nobel Prize winning scientists concerned about the impact of carbon producing coal-fire plants on global warming? Is it hunters seeing landscapes developed, wildlife and fisheries diminished, and hunting opportunities lost? Is it conservation groups concerned about seeing premier wildlands degraded? Or maybe it's just the many Montanans who care about the quality of water they drink and air they breathe.

The fact is that mining and energy projects have not always lived up to the claims of their promoters, resulting in lasting impacts and costly mitigation. In order to avoid the mistakes of the past we should be selective and we should expect that where development occurs it is done in a manner which is compatible with the natural values which make our state unique and special.

And yes Mr. Gustafson, the lifestyles of people who care about the environment aren't always perfect. We could all stand to be more circumspect about how we impact the world around us. But to use that as an excuse to dismiss or trivialize the concerns of others who are impacted does a disservice to your fellow Montanans and the future generations who will inherit this place.

— Mark Good, Great Falls