Letter to the Editor - Vote yes for I 186 and clean water

Editor,

I grew up in eastern Montana, swimming in the Missouri River and Fort Peck Reservoir. Water was, and is, a significant part of life for me. I feel very fortunate to have been able to stay in Montana throughout my life; and clean water is something we sometimes take for granted in rural places such as this.

My husband and I are raising our children in Montana for many reasons, and clean water is one of them. Now living in western Montana, every summer, we’re out on the rivers and lakes near our home and the kids are playing in the sprinkler in the yard. Clean water is something precious and wonderful that we can pass on to our children.

Initiative 186 is not affecting current mining or existing mining jobs, but will ensure that new hard rock mines can show they are responsible for cleaning up their mess instead of contaminating our clean water and leaving Montanans responsible. As a mother, I have enough things to worry about without worrying if the water that comes out of our faucets is safe to drink. That’s why I’m voting yes on I 186, a common-sense vote that will help to keep our water safe and our mining companies accountable.

Krista M. Traxler

Bozeman, lifelong Montana resident