TAKE ACTION NOW to protect Michigan, Wisconsin waters from sulfide mining: Deadline August 20

The beautiful Menominee River flows between Michigan and Wisconsin. It is threatened by the Back 40 sulfide mine proposed by Aquila/GORO. (File photo © and courtesy Wayne Swett)

Aquila/GORO has proposed metallic lease renewal for areas located in close proximity to the Little Shakey Creek, Shakey River, and Shakey Lakes County Park in Menominee County, Michigan. You can help protect the Menominee River from a proposed open-pit metal mine by signing a letter to the Michigan DNR provided online by Freshwater Future.  

Freshwater Future opposes the lease renewal because the group believes open pit mines should never be located in sulfide bearing rock, particularly near a source of public drinking water. The technique exposes the entire mine to air and water, and thus the production of toxic acid mine drainage.
    
The Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River has worked tirelessly for years to protect the Menominee River from the proposed Back 40 open pit metal mine. Historically, all mining operations involving sulfide-bearing rock have led to significant water pollution and waste disposal issues. After the mining company’s wetland permit was denied by regulators, it forced them to propose a different location for the pit to place mining waste. The new location, 400 acres adjacent to the Shakey River, a tributary of the Menominee River, requires a metallic minerals lease renewal from the State of Michigan. You can help! Submit a public comment urging the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to deny this lease renewal request TODAY. The public comment period ends on Sunday, August 20. Click here for a link to the sample letter.

You can also join the Coalition to SAVE The Menominee River for their third annual Water Celebration on Saturday, September 16! Come to Stephenson Island from noon - 7 p.m. for raffles, contests, craft shows, bake sales, live music, and more activities! 

Join the Coalition to SAVE the MeNOMINEe River at their Water Celebration on Stephenson Island, Marinette, Wis., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Click here for larger version of poster. (Poster courtesy Coalition to SAVE the MeNOMINEe River)

Citizens For a Safe and Clean Lake Superior hires new Outreach Director

Jane Fitkin, new Director of Outreach and Communications for Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior (CSCLS). (Photo courtesy CSCLS)

MARQUETTE -- Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior (CSCLS) is pleased to welcome Jane Fitkin as their new Director of Outreach and Communications.

A recent Northern Michigan University (NMU) graduate with highest honors in Environmental Studies and Sustainability, she has led numerous local environmental efforts including groups like the Marquette Climbers’ Co-op and NMU Conservation Crew and has advocated with local government planning officials for sustainable infrastructure projects.

Having lived in Marquette for the past four years, Fitkin has developed a strong connection to the local community and environment and sees unnecessary industrial development, like the planned rocket launch site near Thoneys Point, in
Powell Township just 10 miles north of Marquette, as a serious threat.

"We live on the shoreline of the world’s largest freshwater body. Lake Superior is immeasurably important to our way of life, and promoting heavy industry right on the lakeshore is a serious threat to all of us," Fitkin said. "I'm excited to join this effort to protect our lake for all of us."

This Lake Superior shoreline view shows the pretty sandstone cliffs at the proposed Granot Loma/Thoneys Point launch area. (File photo courtesy Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior)

According to Dennis Ferraro, president of CSCLS, Fitkin will be assisting with the citizen petition effort in Powell Township to amend zoning regulations to ban spaceports and rocket launches in the township, as well as carrying out various other community events.

"Jane is a great asset to our current campaign here at CSCLS and she brings the leadership, policy and communication skills to broaden our future efforts to protect our beautiful Freshwater Coast," Ferraro said.

The mission of Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior is to protect and improve the precious environmental resource of the coastal habitat, shoreline and fresh water of Lake Superior and its watershed in Marquette County; to oppose individual, corporate, or governmental action which may jeopardize that resource; and to encourage community action to preserve the quality of life provided by this Lake Superior Coastline environment for generations to come.