The Ecology Center
801 Sherwood, Suite B
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 728-5733

								March 24, 1999
Forest Supervisor Rick Prausa
Lewis & Clark National Forest
PO Box 869
Great Falls, Montana 59403

Dear Mr. Prausa,
	I am writing regarding the Rocky Mountain Front mining moratorium.  In general, the Ecology Center feels that the two-year moratorium on hard rock mining is a great thing.  We strongly encourage you to make it a permanent policy, and take a step towards protecting this biologically rich area.  The Rocky Mountain Front is an incredibly rich area that has been considered the finest unclassified wildland in North America.  In addition, these areas have been ranked by biologists in the top 1% of wildlife habitat in North America.  It is thought that every wildlife species is here that was here when white men (Lewis & Clark)first came through the area.

Besides just being biologically rich, this area is also the "Backbone of the World" for Native Americans.  This area provides sacred ground, spiritual values for Native and non-Indian people alike.  

There are no valid mining claims within in the entire Rocky Mtn. Front.  The claims staked in Blackleaf-Muddy Creek area are speculative, according to most
geologists.  The formations simply are not conducive to hardrock minerals.  The nature of the 1872 Mining Law encourages speculation.  We believe that a permanent mining moratorium is needed to prevent "playing games" and holding our finest public wildland "hostage" until U.S. taxpayers come up with "ransom
money", as happened at New World Mine near Yellowstone.  This should not be allowed to take place in the Rocky Mountain Front.

	Hardrock mining such as Zortman-Landusky is definitely not compatible with a wild area such as the Rocky Mountain Front.  This area is the very best of the
last 5% of undeveloped landscapes in the lower 48 states.  There is a great deal of public sentiment to back up this claim.  Public comments and opinion polls have shown strong and solid support for preserving the wild "Front".  The recent Forest Service decision to offer no new oil & gas leases, was widely supported with the public.

	The Ecology Center firmly believes and works to establish the fact that inherent values far exceed all the diamonds or gold that might be found
in the area. Please make the hardrock mining ban in the Rocky Mountain Front a permanent policy.  Please keep the Ecology Center on the mailing list.  Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Deborah Kmon
Ecosystem Defense
The Ecology Center