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Saturday, August 19, 2023

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)

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