Coalition continues to fight Back Forty mine
August 20, 2019
Eagle Herald
Dear Editor,
The Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River Inc. filed suit in Michigan State Court contesting the signing of the Wetlands Permit which contains 28 pages of single-spaced conditions to be met by Aquila before the permit is valid. The court case is not over, so no decision has been made by Judge Pulter. Yet, Aquila has chosen to lie in their advertising on TV-6, Marquette; TV-5, Green Bay; and TV-11, Green Bay, telling the public they have all the permits and will be mining in 2020. This information is not true.
As Mark Twain said, “A mine is a hole in the ground with a liar standing on top.”
Now Aquila is offering community contracts to buy their way into local units of government in Michigan. These contracts, if signed, are irreversible; and promising to provide equipment and services to these governing bodies is no less than extortion, in my mind.
I have spent three and a half weeks in Lansing, Michigan, during this contested case hearing and yes, there are inconsistencies in the testimonies of the expert witnesses. And we are not done. We will return to Lansing for three more days of testimony this fall. After testimonies are completed, all attorneys will submit their summaries to the judge in writing. The judge will then make his decision. No matter who wins this case, I am sure appeals will follow. And circuit court. Then supreme court. As the law provides.
The Coalition has also filed a federal case against the EPA and Army Corp of Engineers, which will be forthcoming in the near future.
In addition, the public has experienced misleading media that has many people confused. We were all brought up to trust our media; evidently, this is not true any longer. Please check out everything you read and confirm its truth before you believe it.
According to an opinion poll taken last August in Michigan, 91.7% of the residents are opposed to this mine. It’s time to stand up for what you believe to be in the best interest of your community, your future generations, and your water. Protect yourself.
There has never been a metallic sulfide mine that has not polluted or contaminated the environment. There is too much at stake in this decision. The risk is too high.
Get more information at: jointherivercoalition.org
Email me at: jointherivercoalition@
Dale Burie, president
Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River Inc.
