Water Pollution at Flambeau Mine Site Prompts WRPC to Pursue Legal Action against Flambeau Mining Company and Wisconsin DNR (June 2009-April 2010)

Posted in Announcements by admin
Apr 26 2010
TrackBack Address.

1. Press Release

2. Mine Schematic and Pollution Graphs

3. Background Information on Flambeau Mine

4. Official Correspondence

Notice Letter sent by WRPC to Kennecott’s Flambeau Mining Company and Wisconsin DNR on June 16, 2009

Response to WRPC Notice Letter issued by Kennecott’s Flambeau Mining Company on July 15, 2009

Power Point presentation given by WRPC to representatives of the Wisconsin Department of Justice (WDOJ) and Wisconsin DNR at a meeting held among the parties on September 15, 2009.

Letter and exhibits sent by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Wisconsin DNR to WRPC on November 10, 2009 in response to WRPC’s power point presentation and the September 15, 2009 meeting.

Letter and exhibits sent by WRPC to the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Wisconsin DNR on January 26, 2010 in response to the letter sent to WRPC on November 10, 2009.

Letter and exhibits sent by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Wisconsin DNR to WRPC on April 23, 2010 in response to WRPC’s January 26, 2010 submission.

5. Scientific Reports that Form the Basis of WRPC’s Complaint

  • Flambeau River Monitoring at the Flambeau Mine, Rusk County, Wisconsin – 1. Flambeau River Sediments – Analysis, Comments and Recommendations, Ken Parejko, Ph.D., April 10, 2009.
  • Flambeau River Monitoring at the Flambeau Mine, Rusk County, Wisconsin – 2. Macroinvertebrates – Analysis, Comments and Recommendations, Ken Parejko, Ph.D., April 10, 2009
  • Flambeau River Monitoring at the Flambeau Mine, Rusk County, Wisconsin – 3. Crayfish – Analysis, Comments and Recommendations, Ken Parejko, Ph.D., April 10, 2009.
  • Flambeau River Monitoring at the Flambeau Mine, Rusk County, Wisconsin - 4. Walleye Tissue Monitoring – Analysis, Comments and Recommendations, Ken Parejko, Ph.D., April 10, 2009.
  • Recommendations for Changes to Groundwater, Surface Water, and Biomonitoring Specified in the Stipulation Monitoring Plan at the Flambeau Mine, David M Chambers, Ph.D., Kendra Zamzow, Ph.D. and Ken Parejko, Ph.D., June 5, 2009.

6. Contact Information:

7. Recent Developments in the case

a. June 18, 2009: WRPC filed a “Notice of Intent to File Citizen Suit under Wis. Stat. 293.89(1)(b)” with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource (WDNR) and Flambeau Mining Company (FMC). The defendants had 30 days to respond (click here to read).

b. July 19, 2009: FMC responded to WRPC’s “Notice of Intent to File a Citizen Suit” by issuing a blustery letter to WRPC that had little substance (click here to read).

c. July 30, 2009: The Wisconsin Department of Justice (WDOJ) responded to WRPC’s “Notice of Intent to File a Citizen Suit” by issuing a letter to WRPC that invited us to enter into discussions with representatives of WDNR and WDOJ “with the hope and intent to avoid litigation.” (click here to read)

d. September 16, 2009: WRPC representatives met with an Assistant Attorney General and key DNR staff to discuss WRPC’s claims. The meeting included a Power Point presentation made by plaintiff Laura Furtman (Power Point DOJ WDNR 20090909 FINAL_Sep 16).

e. November 10, 2009: WRPC received a written response from the Assistant Attorney General summarizing a number of issues discussed at the September 16, 2009 meeting (click here to read).

f. January 26, 2010: WRPC issued a written response to the Assistant Attorney General’s November 10, 2009 letter, provided additional information to the Department of Justice and WDNR, and requested a response (click here to read). When we receive a response we will determine whether litigation will be necessary to address the issues we have raised.

g. April 23, 2010: WRPC received a written response from the Assistant Attorney General regarding WRPC’s January 26, 2010 submission. WRPC is currently evaluating the information (click here to read).

8. News Coverage of the Lawsuit

9. Donate to the cause

The Wisconsin Resources Protection Council operates on a small budget and without paid staff of any kind. Our entire budget comes from membership contributions; we do not receive grants of any kind.  You can be certain that every dollar you send will go directly to further our legal expenses and our public education efforts about the effects of large-scale metallic sulfide mining in the Lake Superior region. WRPC is a non-profit but not tax exempt, environmental organization. Donations are not tax-deductible. Please make out your checks to WRPC and send them to: Box 263, Tomahawk, WI  54487. Thank you.

Power Point presentation given by WRPC to representatives of the Wisconsin Department of Justice (WDOJ) and Wisconsin DNR at a meeting held among the parties on September 15, 2009.
Leave a Comment