January 2, 2020
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
We all know there has never been a metallic sulfide mine that hasn’t poisoned the environment and there is no reason to think it will be any different with the proposed Back 40 Mine, less than 50 yards from the Menominee River. Their permit applications already show they intend to pollute.
Published by Door County Pulse, Peninsula Pulse – December 6th, 2019
The Nov. 22 letter to the editor from Nathan Conrad, “executive director,” Natural Resource Development Association, is misleading. A few months ago, this person listed himself as “communications director.” His so-called “association” is listed as having only two people as associates. This man did not tell us he lives in Canada or that he is a paid lobbyist for mining. Is that ethical not to tell us that?
November 20, 2019
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
Interesting history of local mining (EagleHerald, page A7, Nov. 4). Many things have made today’s mining much worse than yesteryear’s. In the gold rush days, mining was like picking the chocolate chips out of the cookie. Notice the pickaxe and shovel on the WI flag. Today’s mining is mining the sugar out of the cookie. About 98% of today’s mine product is waste rock. The local proposed metallic sulfide mine’s waste rock reacting with air and water, becomes sulfuric acid.
October 11, 2019
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
Back Forty project — is it a done deal? No.
Aquila does not have all necessary Back Forty permits. As of Oct. 6, only one of five required permits has been both issued and deemed “effective,” and that is the NPDES Permit, No. 1 on the list below.
September 24, 2019
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
This letter will correct Dale Anderson’s false claims (published in a Letter to the Editor Sept. 20). He and Aquila both got false claims printed recently. No, they do not have all the permits. No, they will not be mining next year. It’s more likely than ever now that they’ll never mine this site, with their dangerous design plan.
September 17, 2019
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
Aquila Resources continually states they have all permits to begin mining. That is a blatantly false statement.
Aquila’s Part 632 Permit is not valid as it was contested and remains in review.
September 5, 2019
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
Aquila Resources’ latest attempt to brainwash area residents is corrupted by greed and delusion. The Canadian company is in the midst of a bogus propaganda campaign designed to convince everyone that it will begin mining at the Back Forty site next year. This is an attempt to appease the company’s investors, who have grown impatient with Aquila’s plummeting stock value and lack of return on investment. In fact, numerous hurdles block Aquila’s mining plans.
August 31, 2019
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
It seems almost daily we read about money allocated for pollution clean-ups; most for our waters. Extended funding for our Great Lakes. Which is great. Then why are we not putting such effort to try and stop our greatest threat thus far to our waters before it happens? I am speaking about the proposed sulfide mine, Back Forty project. Not to be confused with the iron mine near Iron Mountain, these two are different beasts. Time and again, you hear representatives talk about the need for clean water, yet do the opposite and support this mine and for one reason, dollar signs.
August 20, 2019
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
The Menominee Tribe has repeatedly voiced concerns to Michigan environmental regulators about the proposed Back Forty Mine. Aquila Resources, the Canadian mining company behind the mine, has failed to submit the information required to determine the likely impacts of the mine from acid mine drainage, wetlands destruction, and groundwater drawdown. Nevertheless, the agency, now known as Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE), has granted multiple permits needed for the mine to move forward. Recent reporting in the Detroit Free Press and other outlets reveal approval was granted despite serious concerns flagged by regulatory staff, and a staff recommendation to deny at least one of the permits necessary for the mine.
August 27, 2019
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
My husband and I attended the Mellen Township Meeting on Aug. 21. During the public comment portion of the meeting many residents spoke regarding the mine. It appeared those that attended had concerns regarding Aquila Resources’ contacting the townships to request a Community Contract be signed. This contract is irrevocable and auto-renewing. Aquila Resources has hired a grant writer with promises of equipment and services for government bodies in exchange for signing the contract. Once the contract is signed the government bodies would not be able to make statements against mining and the pollution of our water and air. Why is Aquila Resources doing this? It is because they do not have a social license (public’s trust) for operation of the proposed metallic sulfide mine on the banks of the Menominee River, less than 150 feet from the water. It appears they are trying to buy our approval. The state’s decision to approve this mine weighs heavily on the public’s trust. By signing this contract, you are giving Aquila Resources a social license to operate and approval to pollute our water and air.
