September 2017 Newsletter
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/
Mining Moratorium Briefing Paper Released
The Wisconsin Resources Protection Council and the Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter just released an open letter and a policy briefing paper: (http://sierraclub.org/wisconsin/blog/2017/04/legislators-urged-preserve-mining-moratorium-law-study-reveals-flambeau-mine) urging Wisconsin legislators to preserve Wisconsin’s common sense “Prove it First” Mining Moratorium Law. The Sierra Club also released a summary of the impacts of the Flambeau mine (http://sierraclub.org/wisconsin/blog/2017/08/flambeau-mine-far-success).
Spencer Black: I am proud of authoring the Mining Moratorium Law
In a recent op ed in the Madison Capital Times, Spencer Black, who represented the 77th Assembly District for 26 years, noted that recent polling found that 72 percent of Wisconsin residents want to keep Prove It First protections from mining pollution. “Doesn’t it make sense to require a mining company to show at least one other sulfide mine anywhere in North America that has operated and closed without water pollution before we let them threaten our waters? But common sense appears to be uncommon at the state Capitol these days.”
September 7 Public Hearing in Ladysmith, Wisconsin
Senator Tiffany will hold a public hearing on the repeal of the Mining Moratorium Law in Ladysmith on Thursday, September 7th. There has not yet been a formal announcement of the hearing. Madison-based environmental groups have suggested that Tiffany may delay any announcement of the hearing until two days before the hearing so that opponents of the bill have little time to make travel plans and prepare a response. Check the website of the Wisconsin River Alliance (wisconsinrivers.org) to confirm the time and place of the hearing.
Public Forum on Wisconsin’s Prove it First Mining Moratorium on September 6th
Supporters of the Mining Moratorium Law are planning an educational forum on the law, the history of pollution at the Flambeau sulfide mine in Ladysmith and the consequences of Tiffany’s repeal bill for metallic sulfide mining projects in Marathon and Taylor counties. The forum is tentatively planned for the evening of September 6th in Ladysmith. Again, please check the website of the Wisconsin River Alliance for the exact time and location.
Oconto County, Wisconsin and Menominee County, Michigan Pass Resolutions Against the Back Forty project
On August 24th, Oconto County became the eighth county to pass a strong resolution opposing the Back Forty project by a vote of 27-3. The Oconto County board also passed a resolution opposing the repeal of the Mining Moratorium Law and sent the resolution to all state legislators.
Just prior to the Oconto County vote, mine opponents achieved a significant victory when Menominee County in Michigan, by a vote of 5-4, joined seven Wisconsin counties who have passed strong resolutions against the Back Forty project.
Menominee Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw said “The Menominee Tribe acknowledges the Menominee County Board commissioners who had the moral courage to take a stand for what they know is right for their community. The significance of the host community passing a resolution in opposition of the project cannot be understated. When people stand together in solidarity it sends a clear message to political leaders and investors alike-the risks of the project are unacceptable.”
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) says “The fate of Wisconsin waters and communities should not be left to another state to decide
On August 18 Senator Baldwin wrote a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, urging these federal agencies to conduct a full review of the Back Forty project and assume permitting authority from the State of Michigan. “The states of Wisconsin and Michigan share jurisdiction over this river [Menominee] and many Wisconsinites, local communities and the Menominee Indian Tribe have serious concerns with the project, however Michigan is exclusively making the mining and pollution decisions. The fate of Wisconsin waters and communities should not be left to another state to decide.”
The letter urges these federal agencies to “engage in robust nation-to-nation consultation with the Menominee Nation and other tribes, and provide the opportunity for full and meaningful public review and comment on the proposal from both Michigan and Wisconsin residents, communities, and state governments.”
Membership Renewal Reminder
If the date on your mailing label is anytime before 09/17, it means your annual membership is due ($15 for regular or $5 for senior/low income). Thank you for your support in our efforts to protect our precious waters.
Al Gedicks, Executive Secretary