Wisconsin Resources Protection Council

We must be on to something!
Local editorial unleashes smear campaign against environmental activists fighting to save the Willow Flowage

June 25, 2018–State Senator Tom Tiffany just can’t stand to have me question the wisdom of imposing unwanted mining projects that threaten the clean water of Wisconsin. So after my recent testimony against opening up formerly protected lands from mining in Oneida County, he passed along the information on my 1970 antiwar protest conviction to the River News, which ran the story in the June 23, 2018, edition.

by Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

GreenAmerica.org

February 24, 2018

Wisconsin Resources Protection Council

Box 263

Tomahawk, WI  54487

Mr. Sean Roosen, CEO and Chair of Board

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.

1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal

Suite 300

Montreal, Quebec  H3B 2S2

Canada

Dear Mr. Roosen,

We are writing in regard to Osisko’s 15% ownership of Aquila Resources’ Back Forty metallic sulfide deposit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Aquila has promoted the idea that this project is a done deal. However, recent events should give your shareholders cause for concern. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) public hearing on Aquila’s wetland permit demonstrated serious technical problems with the permit application as well as continuing widespread public opposition to this controversial project.

Senator and mining proponent uses personal attack as part of defense of bill.

By Al Gedicks – Sep 21st, 2017

UrbanMilwaukee.com

How far is Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) willing to go to do the bidding of the mining industry with his legislation to repeal Wisconsin’s “Prove It First” moratorium on sulfide mining? Senator Tiffany made that clear to everyone who attended the public hearing on September 7 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin on SB 395, the so-called “Mining for America Act” when he broke all the rules for public hearings and common decency by launching a personal attack on me for an arrest record from 47 years ago. He launched his attack in the middle of my testimony in opposition to repealing the mining moratorium law, which was live streamed. Since when do legislators try to intimidate and publicly humiliate citizens who are invited to offer public testimony on proposed legislation?

by Paul Srubas

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

August 24, 2017

MENOMINEE, Mich. — On a recent, rainy Friday evening, a small crowd of protesters had already dispersed after a few hours of trying to disrupt the weekly fish fry at the popular Ogden Club in downtown Menominee.

The tavern’s second floor no longer serves as office space for the employees of Aquila Resources, but, much to the annoyance of proprietor Robin Quigley, that hasn’t stopped the protesters from gathering outside every week.

by Bill Van Lopik, Community columnist

Post-Crescent, Appleton-Fox Cities

August 12, 2017

One of our most precious resources with living in northeast Wisconsin is our fresh water. We live in the Great Lakes Basin, which contains literally 20 percent of all the fresh water in the world.

After years of abusing this resource by dumping of toxic chemicals into our waterways, we have helped our lakes and waterways make a strong rebound through citizen, governmental and corporate action to clean up our water.

What You Should Know About Aquila Resources’ Back Forty Project

By Al Gedicks

Executive Secretary, Wisconsin Resources Protection Council

June 28, 2017

Aquila’s Back Forty Project is not accurately described in the Mine Permit Application (MPA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

*Aquila Resources wants to develop a large open pit (2000 ft.wide, 2500 ft. long and 750 ft. deep) massive gold-zinc sulfide mine 150 feet from the Menominee River, encroaching upon the floodplain. Underground mining plans have not been disclosed to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) but could include mining under the Menominee River. Aquila’s permit application says the Life of Mine (LOM) operation is planned to be approximately 7 years but the Back Forty is actually described as a 16 year mine in every press release published by Aquila Resources.