Wisconsin Resources Protection Council

The Wisconsin Resources Protection Council (WRPC) is asking you to voice your support for a proposal by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to list an unnamed stream at the Flambeau Mine site (known as “Stream C”) as “impaired” due to copper and zinc toxicity.

August 31, 2011

Dear WRPC Member,

As you know, WRPC, the Center for Biological Diversity and Laura Gauger are embroiled in a lawsuit against Kennecott Minerals over ongoing violations of the Clean Water Act at the Flambeau Mine site near Ladysmith, Wisconsin. What happens at Flambeau stands to impact ALL of us who are fighting ill-advised mining proposals in the Great Lakes region.

You know all too well what we mean. There are now over a dozen mining projects in various stages of permitting in the Lake Superior region of northern Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. All of these projects have the potential to affect the health and environmental quality of life for communities that depend upon clean water and clean air for their economy and their culture. Some mining projects, like Kennecott’s proposed Eagle Mine in Michigan are poised to begin underground construction as early as mid-September. But this is not a done deal. There are still efforts to delay construction, including an administrative appeal of the permit decision. We must do whatever we can to support our friends who are “on the ground” and have dedicated their lives to protecting the water.

Originally published by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

by Al Gedicks

May 19, 2011

Should the state’s regulatory authority over the metallic mine permitting process be dramatically reduced to accommodate the wishes of a mining company to receive a permit in record time?  This is not a hypothetical question.

Gogebic Taconite (GTAC) has met with several legislators about its proposed open pit iron ore (taconite) mine along the border of Ashland and Iron counties to push legislation that would drastically speed up the mine permitting process.

1. Wisconsin Public Radio, December 28, 2010

More metallic mines are being proposed for the Far North, even as questions linger about a now-closed mine just outside of Ladysmith. For our News From 72 series, Chuck Quirmbach went to Rusk County, to dig into one more controversy about the Flambeau Mine.

Listen to the segment in RealPlayer (4 min, 3 sec)

or click below to listen to an mp3 file

Wisconsin Public Radio, The costs and benefits of mining debated in Rusk County, December 28, 2010