January 2018 Newsletter
January 5, 2018
Dear WRPC Member and Friends of the Menominee River,
Industrial Acid Mining Bill Passed
On December 11, 2017, Gov. Scott Walker did the bidding of Aquila Resources, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the mining industry and signed into law Sen. “Toxic Tom” Tiffany’s Industrial Acid Mining Bill. The bill repeals Wisconsin’s 20 year old landmark Prove it First sulfide mining moratorium law that has protected Wisconsin’s precious waters from what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called “the most toxic industry in America.”
According to Raj Shulka, Executive Director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin, “Our current Prove it First law require mining companies to prove in advance that any sulfide mine has operated safely. This bill now allows companies like Aquila Resources to claim to have the technology to be capable of operating safely. ‘Capable’ is far from proven and not worth the risk.” In other words, Wisconsin is now the guinea pig for unproven mining technology.
During legislative debate and public hearings in Ladysmith and Madison, environmental, tribal and sportfishing groups provided eloquent and informed testimony about the human health and environmental costs of sulfide mining pollution, including the release of arsenic, sulfuric acid, mercury and lead into surface and groundwaters. “This legislation will put the health of generations of Wisconsinites at risk, “ said Kerry Schumann, Executive Director of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters.
No consultation with affected Tribes or communities
Despite the serious threat of acid mine drainage and catastrophic release of mine waste, Republican legislators made no attempt to consult affected communities. “This bill would weaken existing regulations that protect the environment, and would thus concurrently weaken protections for the treaty-reserved natural resources that GLIFWC’s (Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission) member tribes have a right to harvest, “ said GLIFWC director James Zorn.
Mayor Mike Wiza of Stevens Point, expressed concern about Aquila’s potential development of the Reef sulfide mineral deposit near Eau Claire Dells in Marathon County. “If that mine were to become operational, it could affect the waters that flow through the Eau Claire Dells, which then eventually flow into the Wisconsin River (and) Lake Wausau,” said Wiza. “The Wisconsin River goes right through Stevens Point and right through Wisconsin Rapids, and affects every community between here and there, as well as everything downstream.”
With the repeal of Prove it First, the responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare of Wisconsin citizens falls to towns and counties. Taylor County, host to Aquila’s Bend sulfide mineral deposit is revisiting its mining ordinance and Marathon County has started to draft one.
(see https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/wisconsin/articles/2017-11-19/local-wisconsin-officials-considering-own-mining-regulations). More than 200 local elected officials signed a letter opposing the legislation. These officials should seriously consider incorporating Wisconsin’s Prove it First conditions into local requirements for approval of mine permits.
Public Hearing on Back Forty Wetland Permit on January 23, 2018
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled a public hearing on Aquila’s Wetland permit for January 23, 2018 at 6:00 pm in the small gym at the Stephenson High School, W526 Division Street, Stephenson, MI 49887. Comments on the application will be accepted through February 2, 2018 and can be submitted online through https://miwaters.deq.state.mi.us/miwaters or by mail to the DEQ, Upper Peninsula District Office, 1504 W. Washington St., Marquette, MI 49855. The Wetland Permit application materials are available for download and review at: https://miwaters.deq.state.mi.us/miwaters/#/external/publicnotice/info/3338938032851742207/documents
Workshop on Preparing Comments on the Wetland Permit
Kathleen Heideman of the Mining Action Group of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition will provide a brief overview of the Back Forty Wetland Permit application and discuss some of your concerns. Learn how to review the documents, submit your comments and get tips for participating in the DEQ’s Public Hearing on January 23, 2018. The workshop is scheduled for January 9, 2018 at MSU Extension Office ANNEX, S904 HWY 41, Stephenson, MI at 9:30am. Please respond to Lea Jane and Dale Burie at: jointherivercoalition@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
Wetland impacts may be significantly underestimated
In addition to the open pit proposal, Aquila is planning for additional years of underground mining that would greatly increase groundwater drawdown and cause significant wetland destruction.
The Menominee Tribe Takes Action to Protect the Menominee River
On November 6, 2017, the Menominee Tribe, represented by Earthjustice, gave legal notice to pursue federal litigation, to ensure that the health of the Menominee River and portions of the Tribe’s ancestral homeland and sacred sites won’t be jeopardized by a large mine on the banks of the Menominee River (see https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2017/menominee-tribe-takes-action-to-protect-its-namesake-river)
Back Forty Mine Awareness Night on January 6, 2018 in Green Bay
Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company will sponsor an informational gathering/fundraiser for Back Forty mine opponents on January 6, 2018 from 6:00-9:00 pm at the Title Town Brewing Co., 200 Dousman Street, Green Bay, WI 54303. The River Alliance of Wisconsin and members of the Coalition to Save the Menominee River will provide updated information on the mine permit and how you can get involved to stop this ill-conceived project.
Stay tuned, Al Gedicks, Executive Secretary
