Wisconsin Resources Protection Council

DEQ Director Approves Aquila Back Forty Mine Wetland Permit, Ignores DEQ’s Own Objections

STEPHENSON, MI — Environmental groups are crying foul over Monday’s decision by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to approve the Aquila Back Forty Wetland Permit. In a joint statement, the Mining Action Group (MAG) of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC), the Front 40 Environmental Fight, and numerous regional environmental groups say they are outraged by the unwarranted approval and are calling on DEQ Director to explain her decision.

“This smells rotten. Director Grether’s approval of the Aquila Back Forty Wetland permit was a political act, directly contradicting the recommendation of DEQ’s own Water Resources Division (WRD). This permit is inconsistent with the Clean Water Act,” said Kathleen Heideman of the Mining Action Group.

May 10, 2018

Dear WRPC Member and Friends of the Menominee River,

On May 3, 2018, in a major reversal of their previous recommendation to reject Aquila’s wetland permit (letter of March 8, 2018) for the Back Forty project, the EPA informed Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) that “we believe that there is a ready pathway for the resolution of EPA’s remaining objections through MDEQ’S inclusion of specific conditions in a final permit issued by June 6, 2018.”

by Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

GreenAmerica.org

April 25, 2018

Mr. Oskar Lewnowski, CIO

Orion Mine Finance Group

1121 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 3000

New York, NY  10036

Dear Mr. Lewnowski:

We are once again writing in regard to Orion’s 14.3%  ownership of Aquila Resources’ Back Forty metallic sulfide deposit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Aquila’s recent press release (March 2, 2018) states that they anticipate a decision on their wetland permit in the first half of 2018. This optimistic assessment has been called into question by the March 8, 2018 letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) stating that the Back Forty project “does not comply with CWA [Clean Water Act] Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines, and EPA objects to the issuance of a permit for this project as proposed” (Christopher Korleski, Director of EPA Water Division to Michigan DEQ).

March 17, 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 once again writing in regard to Osisko’s 15% ownership of Aquila Resources’ Back Forty metallic sulfide deposit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You have undoubtedly seen Aquila’s March 9 permitting update announcing that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has provided comments to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) regarding the company’s wetlands permit. 

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.

September 1, 2017

Dear WRPC Member and Friends of the Menominee River,

Industrial Acid Mining Bill Proposed

Senators Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and State Rep. Bob Hutton (R-Brookfield) have introduced the Mining for America Act, Senate Bill 395, also known as “Tiffany’s Industrial Acid Mining Bill.” The legislation would repeal Wisconsin’s Prove it First Sulfide Mining Moratorium Law and ease mining regulations to facilitate Aquila Resources’ metallic sulfide prospects in Marathon (the Reef project) and Taylor (the Bend project) counties. Not surprisingly, Aquila consulted with Sen. Tiffany over the language of the bill (http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2017/08/17/bill-end-moratorium-mining-introduced/578570001/) and http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2017/08/22/bill-would-end-wisconsin-moratorium-sulfide-mining-create-easier-path-ease-restrictions-future-minin/587792001/

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.