Lake Superior Binational Forum invites public comments on mining issues: deadline July 31

A swimmer enjoys a dip in Lake Superior at sunset near Big Bay, Michigan, which is only a few miles from the Eagle Mine, scheduled to start production for copper and nickel in 2014. Other new mines are planned for the Lake Superior Basin. The Lake Superior Binational Forum is asking for public input -- by July 31, 2013 -- on mining issues around the lake. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

ASHLAND, Wisc.-- The Lake Superior Binational Forum offers a public comment opportunity to allow the public to give input about mining issues in the Lake Superior
basin.

The Binational Forum is a diverse stakeholder group of 24 members from Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario, and Wisconsin, whose role is to make recommendations and provide input to the binational, state, provincial, and indigenous governments that manage the lake. In the U.S., the Forum is headquartered at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute on the Northland College campus in Ashland, Wisconsin.

"It's not the role of the Forum to take a position on an issue such as mining or any human-made activities in the basin. However, it is our role to solicit public input from lake users about how they want the natural and human environments to be managed," said Bruce Lindgren, U.S. co-chair, Herbster, Wisconsin.

(Photo inset: Bruce Lindgren, Lake Superior Binational Forum U.S. co-chair, introduces speakers at the March 23, 2012, Binational Forum in Ashland, Wis. (File photo by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now.)

All public comments will be compiled and used to help the Forum make informed recommendations and offer input and analysis to binational and indigenous nations'
governments and agencies.

The input form consists of 12 questions and gives the public an opportunity to express comments about mining from all perspectives. Public comments are accepted until July 31, 2013. Any person can take the online survey one time.

The public is invited to give input at the Forum’s web site: www.superiorforum.org/mining/public-comment-mining-in-the-lake-superior-basin