Post by Admin on May 12, 2016 10:37:29 GMT -7
Mining in Emigrant
Good jobs for residents vs the loss of cheap, seasonal labor for the tourist industry
Good jobs for residents vs the loss of cheap, seasonal labor for the tourist industry
Michael Wright at the Bozeman Chronicle wrote a story about a report the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition presented them on May 11th, 2016. Read the full article here.
While it is clear that tourism brings many millions of dollars to Paradise Valley the article does not address the high paying union jobs with benefits the mines could deliver. Many of the tourist industry jobs are low paying, provide few if any benefits and are seasonal. If a mine were opened, many Paradise Valley residents may prefer a full time job with benefits over seasonal work. Offering residents a choice may hurt some tourist oriented businesses. According to the article, some members of the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition "are in Washington, D.C., pushing the federal government to consider prohibiting mining on about 30,000 acres of public land. The group met with members of Montana’s congressional delegation and other high-ranking government officials to make their case and consider whether they can eliminate mineral exploration in two roughly 15,000-acre areas of the Custer Gallatin National Forest.". Which begs the question; whom does state and local government serve; the people or entrenched business interests that depend upon cheap seasonal labor?
No one is advocating strip mining, laying waste to the Absaroka mountains or polluting the Yellowstone river. Mining can be accomplished with respect to the environment and still serve the best interest of the public. Tourist related businesses may have to pay higher wages, offer more benefits or import cheap, seasonal labor from elsewhere. Ultimately the residents of the valley should be presented with a comprehensive mining plan and be able to decide via a public vote weather it is acceptable.
Feel free to post comments below.
While it is clear that tourism brings many millions of dollars to Paradise Valley the article does not address the high paying union jobs with benefits the mines could deliver. Many of the tourist industry jobs are low paying, provide few if any benefits and are seasonal. If a mine were opened, many Paradise Valley residents may prefer a full time job with benefits over seasonal work. Offering residents a choice may hurt some tourist oriented businesses. According to the article, some members of the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition "are in Washington, D.C., pushing the federal government to consider prohibiting mining on about 30,000 acres of public land. The group met with members of Montana’s congressional delegation and other high-ranking government officials to make their case and consider whether they can eliminate mineral exploration in two roughly 15,000-acre areas of the Custer Gallatin National Forest.". Which begs the question; whom does state and local government serve; the people or entrenched business interests that depend upon cheap seasonal labor?
No one is advocating strip mining, laying waste to the Absaroka mountains or polluting the Yellowstone river. Mining can be accomplished with respect to the environment and still serve the best interest of the public. Tourist related businesses may have to pay higher wages, offer more benefits or import cheap, seasonal labor from elsewhere. Ultimately the residents of the valley should be presented with a comprehensive mining plan and be able to decide via a public vote weather it is acceptable.
Feel free to post comments below.