HOPE — Like neighboring towns of Union and Warren, the citizens of Hope are concerned about the possibility of metal mining in their town. This follows last winter’s arrival of the Toronto-based company Exiro in both Union and Warren to talk with residents there about mining projects.

Exiro Minerals generates and explores mineral projects, according to its website.

Hope has responded with a proposal to enact a 180-day moratorium on mining in town while municipal ordinances governing mining is reviewed. The Alford Lake/Lermond Pond Association is urging all Hope residents to attend a Hope Planning Board public hearing on the proposed moratorium on metallic mineral mining Wednesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m., at the Hope Corner Fire Station, 475 Camden Road, in Hope.

If approved, an article presenting the moratorium could appear on the Hope 2023 Town Meeting warrant, the date of which has yet to be determined.

The June 14 public hearing will address zoning and land use amendments also proposed for the municipal warrant. That includes amending the shoreline zoning ordinance and establishing zoning districts in the town.

The proposed moratorium acknowledges that neighboring towns were approached by an international mining company which requested permits for exploration, advance exploration, mining, and/or extraction of metallic minerals particularly in areas near or adjacent to a great pond, and the Town of Hope borders at least one of these towns.

“Residents and officials of the Town of Hope have expressed concerns about the need to review and update the existing Land Use Ordinance with regard to recent inquiries for mineral exploration, advanced exploration and mining operations, extracting operations, including concerns regarding quality of life, adjacent property values, health and safety concerns, decommissioning liabilities and costs, visual impacts, and environmental concerns,” the moratorium said.

Hope currently has no regulations governing metallic mineral explorations and mining, and because of the environmental effects, including potential property contamination, the goal is to draft uniform standards.

“In 2011, as amended in 2017, the State of Maine adopted the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act (38 M.R.S. 490-LL, et seq.), which specifically provides municipal authority for the Town of Hope to regulate and control mining, including but not limited to, construction, operation, closure, post-closure monitoring, reclamation and remediation activities, all of which the Town has not addressed since the passage of the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act, which needs to be done to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Hope and the environment,” the moratorium said.

The town needs at least 180 days to review and amend its ordinances for the sake of public safety, and protect its natural resources, the moratorium said.

“The Alford Lake/Lermond Pond Association is encouraging Hope residents and property owners to attend the hearing to demonstrate support for the moratorium and eventual ban of mining activities within the town,” the Association said. “To educate ourselves, we met with experts and prepared FAQs to answer our questions about the issue (attached), and are now reaching out to our friends and neighbors.” 
 
The Association has been in existence for approximately  50 years, with its volunteers working, “to preserve the pristine nature and healthy ecology of our lake and pond, including its wildlife, for present and future generations to steward and enjoy,” it said.
 
The Association said in a news release, “please help spread the word that, like our neighbors in Union and Warren, Hope citizens want to prevent mining activities in our town.”