Majestic Mines

Anyone who has ever taken a tour of Majestic Mines probably knows how subjective it’s beauty is. Initially as I entered the clearing I found the stark contrast of the golden-orange creek to the surrounding dirt and trees to be quite stunning. I was almost unsure as to whether I found the unique coloring amazing or too unnatural to comprehend.

Our tour guide Brian began to explain that the water trickling from the old mine into the creek brings with it different metals such as iron and aluminum that caused not only the discoloration but also transformed the once prosperous water into that which is unlivable for anything more then the occasional crawfish. The idea that no life could sustain in the water I was looking at gave it a slight eerie feeling.

As the conversation continued with Brian however, that eerie feeling diminished completely and was replaced with a feeling of compassion for the little creek and for people like Brian who dedicate their time and efforts to causes they truly believe in.

Brian said that as a boy he was always a water kid. When he moved to Athens and found out about the conditions of creeks and streams that are affected by the mines he realized that he wanted to do his part to restore the water to “fishable and swimable.” He has been pursuing that dream ever since.

Currently he works with three other individuals at keeping that dream alive but nothing in life is without costs, and funding is limited. Brian explained the EPA’s 319 Clean Water Law provides funding for the watershed coordinator and to keep their office running but providing for all other needs is a struggle. Despite his dedication and countless hours of work Brian is merely considered a volunteer who gets a living stipend for his contributions, but that alone gives him less then minimum wage. While he admitted that it is not great pay, Brian was very adamant that it is a great job.

By the time next August approaches the Watershed group will have run out of the majority of their money and will only be able to support the commissioner’s job. Being without a job will free up Brian’s time so he will be attending Ohio University for environmental studies but it was obvious that he was not looking forewords to having to abandon his dream.

When it was time to leave the Majestic Mines site I could see everything clearly. While it may not have been initially apparent, the beauty of the place was in its potential and in the dedication of individuals like Brian who have given so much of themselves to this cause.