Charlie Parr & John Davey Perform “For The Love Of Land!” at Ore Dock Brewing Company

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

MARQUETTE – Local environmental nonprofit Save the Wild U.P.(SWUP) will host another “For the Love of Land” concert on Sunday, March 20, from 6:00- 9:00 at the Ore Dock Brewing Company. The event will feature local musician, John Davey and Minnesota-based musical legend Charlie Parr. Tickets for the event are $10 and are on sale now at the Ore Dock Brewing Company; a portion of the proceeds will benefit SWUP’s work.

This concert, combining John Davey’s “… songs about heartbreaks and towns, people, places, and things” and Charlie Parr’s “blistering finger-picking and gritty, soulful vocals” will help support Save the Wild U.P.’s grassroots efforts to fight an open-pit sulfide mine proposed for the banks of the Menominee River.

This is the first event that Davey and Parr have played for SWUP. Davey is a songwriter from West Lafayette, Indiana who has been touring since 2007, playing hundreds of shows on dozens of tours, regionally and nationally. His lyrically substantive pop folk songs reflect his time on the road, and are often ruminations on the toll that traveling takes and the high cost of relationships.

Charlie Parr has been traveling around and singing his songs ever since leaving Austin Minnesota in the 1980’s. Parr has put out 13 studio recordings and plays over 250 shows a year featuring his distinctive resonator-fueled folk songs. Parr’s newest album, Stumpjumper (Red House Records), is receiving stellar reviews for its “deep blues” approach to American roots music.

“I’m excited to have such talented musicians share their work with our supporters,” said Alexandra Maxwell, SWUP’s executive director. “These two fellas have very different styles, but it just goes to show there is an endless supply of creative inspiration in the Lake Superior region, and countless reasons to come together to protect our environment.”

Save the Wild U.P. hosts concerts, film screenings and literary events throughout the year in order to highlight the connection between artistic inspiration, northwoods culture, the U.P.’s wild places, and environmental threats.

Save the Wild U.P. will have an informational table at the concert, with volunteers and board members on hand to inform concerned citizens about the proposed sulfide mine and other environmental issues, and promote SWUP’s upcoming spring and summer events.

Founded in 2004, Save the Wild U.P. is a grassroots organization dedicated to defending the Upper Peninsula of Michigan’s clean water and wild places from the threat of sulfide mining. For more information contact info@savethewildup.org or call (906) 662-9987. Get involved with SWUP’s work at savethewildup.orgon Facebook at facebook.com/savethewildup or on Twitter @savethewildup.

Related Links
Charlie Parr’s Official Website: http://www.charlieparr.com/
SWUP’s event page: http://bit.ly/CharlieparrODBC

‘Red-Flag Review’ Reveals Flaws in Sulfide Mine Application

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

MARQUETTE – Local grassroots environmental group, Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP) has secured an independent “red-flag review” of Aquila Resources mining permit application for the proposed Back Forty project. The technical review, completed by Dr. Kendra Zamzow (Ph.D., Environmental Geochemistry) and Dr. David Chambers (Ph.D., Geophysics) of the Center for Science in Public Participation (CSP2), outlines significant concerns and recommendations related to Aquila’s proposal for an open-pit sulfide mine on the banks of the Menominee River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. CSP2 analyzes mining applications for the sake of increased public understanding of the complexities involved in mining projects. SWUP has forwarded this review, funded by Michigan-based Freshwater Future, to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Aquila Resources Inc. submitted a mining permit application for their proposed “Back Forty” project to the MDEQ in late November of 2015. Their 37,000 page application includes highly technical information regarding rock chemistry, acid rock drainage (ARD), milling, tailings waste, environmental impacts, and more. Prior to securing independent, expert analysis from CSP2, SWUP provided extensive written comment to the MDEQ.

“We’ve already requested that Michigan reject this mining permit application as fraudulent. Why is the Michigan DEQ still seriously considering this permit? Given all the errors, critical omissions, and misleading statements about the mine’s life, this permit application should be rejected. It’s that simple,” said Kathleen Heideman, Save the Wild U.P. president. SWUP, along with hundreds of concerned citizens, also called on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to deny Aquila’s requested land swap, since the open pit mine and tailings would be built on what is currently public land.

The new report from CSP2 flags serious omissions and miscalculations, and includes specific recommendations and technical actions regarding Aquila’s plans for Water Management, Tailings & Waste Rock Management Facilities, Pit Backfill Metal Leaching, Water Treatment Post Closure, Financial Assurance, and other topics. For example, according to the report:

“Monitoring wells need to be placed to ensure the tailings facility embankment is not contributing acid or metal leaching to groundwater.”
“Given the potential for antimony, selenium, and arsenic to mobilize under neutral conditions, monitoring will need to occur at the TWRMF leachate sumps and at monitoring wells on and around the backfilled pit until hydrology and chemistry have stabilized.”
“The TWRMF (tailings waste rock management facility) cap is designed to reduce infiltration, but given the extremely acidic nature of the material that will be enclosed, the cost of a WTP (water treatment plant) should be included in financial assurance for at least the 20 year post closure monitoring period.”
“When reviewing the indirect and direct cost estimates for the Back Forty financial assurance, it is obvious that it has been significantly underestimated, especially with regard to the indirect cost calculations(…) the direct costs should be reviewed by a qualified party to correct assumptions that underestimate the cost of reclamation that would need to be conducted by a regulatory agency.”
Dr. Zamzow also points out the erroneous comparison of Aquila’s closure plans to those of the much smaller Flambeau Mine, which had no tailings to deal with (ore was processed off-site) and left no waste rock on the surface. According to CSP2, detailed plans concerning alkaline amendment of tailings and the waste rock facility design was omitted from Aquila’s application.

In their letter to the MDEQ, Save the Wild U.P. requested that “the technical recommendations and questions raised in this report by Center for Science in Public Participation be incorporated into the MDEQ’s permit review process, and added to the Public Comment record for this permit application.”

“This review from the Center for Science in Public Participation – well known for their high quality technical analysis of mining applications – confirms our worst fears. Aquila’s permit application was incomplete at best, fraudulent at worst,” said Heideman. “Honestly, the Back Forty mining permit application reads like a bad cut-and-paste job. MDEQ should view this as a Red Alert.”

While CSP2’s review offers recommendations and actions that could remedy some of the technical deficiencies and glaring omissions in Aquila’s permit application, underlying, serious concerns cannot be resolved. As SWUP’s Executive Director Alexandra Maxwell points out, “The facts remain unchanged: this mine would destroy cultural and natural resources of the Menominee people, and it threatens the Shakey Lakes savanna, a globally unique habitat. The U.P.’s largest river is no place for an open-pit sulfide mine.”

meme-quote-bobtammen-crap-pablo

Founded in 2004, Save the Wild U.P. is a grassroots environmental organization dedicated to preserving the Upper Peninsula of Michigan’s unique cultural and environmental resources. For more information contact info@savethewildup.org or call (906) 662-9987. Get involved with SWUP’s work at savethewildup.org on Facebook at facebook.com/savethewildup or on Twitter @savethewildup.

Don’t Flint the U.P. – “Something went wrong there.”

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

Editorial by Jim Voss, resident of Lake Township

On November 9th 2015, the Detroit Free Press reported on the findings of the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit organization that promotes government transparency and ethics. State governments were ranked using criteria like: accessibility, responsiveness, and accountability. This national study concluded that Michigan ranked last in laws on ethics and transparency.

Those of you that worked on the committee that developed Part 632 know the effect that businesses can have on interpreting and developing the rules for laws in the State of Michigan. The result is a document that, in some opinions, makes Michigan a “Most Mining Friendly” state.

The process for developing the rules for Part 632 did involve citizen accessibility through input, but did it demonstrate governmental responsiveness and accountability? Was there a level playing field for all participants? Were ethics involved?

At the January meeting in Stephenson, the DEQ took questions concerning the application process for Aquila Resources’ application regarding their Back Forty project. Joe Maki, the DEQ spokesperson that presided at the meeting, said the process was going to be as transparent as possible. There would be public meetings and opportunities for public input and suggestions. We were assured that questions would be considered, each suggestion evaluated and, when appropriate, acted on. A first small step indicating that Joe Maki was going to live up to his word was, after many requests, the granting of a two week extension of the deadline for submitting questions to the DEQ.

Listening to concerns, considering requests and acting on behalf of the people are all things any governmental unit should be doing. Especially a department that is ultimately responsible to the people of the State of Michigan, and not to the people that appointed them.

If the DEQ’s loyalty is to their bosses and not to the people, disasters can occur. A recent example where this happened is the Flint water crisis, which is under investigation in Michigan today. It appears that appointed city officials and appointed DEQ members were more interested in saving money and saving face than serving the constituents they were charged to protect.

A local doctor, an independent scientist, and local residents were ignored and discounted while the citizens of Flint continued to drink tainted water. Ironically, bottled water was being supplied (as an alternative) to state employees working in government buildings while local citizens were being assured their drinking water was safe to drink.

Something went wrong there. Somebody (more than one somebody) lost sight of the reason they were appointed to their position. That reason, in a nutshell, should be to preserve and protect the health and well-being of their constituents. The health and well-being of the people they serve.

They have no obligation higher than that. Not to business, not to lobbyists, not to the “bottom line”, and not to their bosses. Their obligation is not to circle the wagons and protect the well-being of the puppet-masters that appointed them. Their obligation is to us!

As this permitting process for Aquila Resources Back Forty Project continues to unfold, as we look at the time lines, as we worry about governmental expertise, as we fret over the influence of cronyism and money and lobbyists, let’s constantly remind the people that are reviewing these documents that their loyalty is to us, that their loyalty is to the health and well-being of future generations, that their loyalty is to this great place we call the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

“Save the Michigamme Highlands” Public Forum

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

MARQUETTE – Local environmental groups Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP) and the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC) will co-host “Save the Michigamme Highlands,” an informational forum concerning threats to Marquette County’s last stretch of wild lands. The forum takes place on Tuesday, March 1st in the Community Room of the Peter White Public Library, from 6pm- 8pm. The event is free and open to the public.

The primary threat to this region remains the twice-defeated County Road 595 (CR-595) proposal, which is the subject of ongoing lawsuit brought by the Marquette County Road Commission (MCRC) against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The contentious CR-595 plan would have torn open the wild heart of Marquette County, pushing a paved mining haul road disguised as a “county road project” through 22 miles of remote wild lands, fragile wetlands and critical wildlife corridors, and necessitating stream and river crossings of the Dead River, Escanaba River, Mulligan Creek, Voekler Creek and Wildcat Canyon, Yellow Dog River, and many more.

Aerial photograph, Wildcat Canyon Creek wetlands and the proposed 595 route (2015).

Tuesday’s forum will offer an overview of the Michigamme Highlands and discuss federal objections to wetlands destruction along the CR-595 route, the lawsuit brought by the Marquette County Road Commission, the role of “dark money” in funding this lawsuit, recent road work that has taken place along the route, and other emerging threats.

“Save the Michigamme Highlands” will also feature mini-presentations addressing rare plants in the path of CR-595, basic elements of the MCRC lawsuit, the importance of interconnected “Wild Lands,” the EPA’s 2015 Clean Water Rule, the beauty of remote wetlands as seen through the eyes of artists who visited Wildcat Canyon Creek in 2015, and more. Speakers include Jon Saari, Northern Michigan University professor emeritus of history and vice president of Save the Wild U.P.; Catherine Parker, concerned citizen and environmental advocate; Gene Champagne, spokesman for the Concerned Citizens of Big Bay; Michelle Halley, local attorney; Steve Garske, botanist and SWUP board member; Kathleen Heideman, SWUP’s president; and Alexandra Maxwell, SWUP’s executive director.

SWUP Summer Fellows at the Dead River crossing (2015).

In 2015, Save the Wild U.P. focused their outdoor summer programming on the multiple threats posed by the CR- 595 proposal, leading concerned citizens on several well-attended hikes at remote locations ranging from Pinnacle Falls to the Mulligan Creek wetlands.

“This stretch of wild land is irreplaceable. The Michigamme Highlands are ideal habitat for moose and other wide-roaming mammals, rich with creeks, rivers and wetlands, and home to the narrow-leaved gentian, a threatened native species found only in three U.P. counties,” said Maxwell.

“In addition to the enormous environmental impacts, there’s the very real issue of regulatory capture. Why is our Road Commission so dedicated to building a road-to-nowhere – for the benefit of one sulfide mine? We don’t even have enough money to fill potholes in Marquette County, much less fix our old bridges. Who is the Road Commission serving, if not taxpayers?” asked Maxwell.

In 2014, SWUP, along with regional environmental allies Yellow Dog Watershed and UPEC, alerted citizens to illegal construction along snowmobile Trail #5, which served as the only functional trail through much of this isolated region.

Marquette County Trail #5, 2014, before road widening.

Marquette County Trail #5 before road widening (2014).

Marquette County Trail #5, 2014, after road work by Plum Creek (to "upgrade snowmobile bridge")

Marquette County Trail #5, after road work by Plum Creek “upgrade snowmobile bridge” (2014).

“The EPA’s position was clear: no CR-595 route may be constructed without permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” said Kathleen Heideman, SWUP’s president.

“Any road construction in this environmentally sensitive area must be seen as part of a network of actions related to CR-595, and the cumulative impacts must be calculated. We need to be ever-vigilant to stop creeping incrementalism – a new bridge here, a gravel mine there, and lots of wetland destruction all along the way. The CR-595 proposal remains a bad deal for taxpayers and the environment,” said Alexandra Maxwell, SWUP executive director.

“Our organizations remain outspoken opponents of the CR-595. The damage would be too great, period,” said Heideman. “The Michigamme Highlands are part of an incredible stretch of wild lands. This forum is an opportunity for folks to understand why, beyond its aesthetic value, this area needs to be protected. Places like this serve a real purpose in maintaining clean water and increasing quality of life for all Yoopers.”

Links and Photographs

“Save the Michigamme Highlands” Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/975909212462706/

“Don’t Undermine the Menominee” Forum a Success

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

MARQUETTE —On Wednesday, February 17th, environmental nonprofit Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP) hosted a forum on Aquila Resources’ proposed Back Forty open pit sulfide mine, to a packed room of concerned citizens, Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) staff, Northern Michigan University students, and worried homeowners.

Successful Forum

Wednesday’s “Don’t Undermine the Menominee” forum featured Denny Caneff, the executive director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin; Ron Henriksen, spokesman for the Front 40 environmental group; Dr. David Overstreet, a professor of archaeology at the College of the Menominee Nation; Doug Cox, the environmental program coordinator for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin; Guy M. Reiter, an environmental advocate and a member of the Menominee Conservation Commission; and Chuck Brumleve, an environmental mining specialist and geologist.

“It was a great forum and really rewarding to see everyone speaking to their expertise with passion. I think that the message came across loud and clear: concerned citizens don’t want a sulfide mine on the banks of the Menominee River”, said Alexandra Maxwell, SWUP executive director.

Message to MDEQ: Deny Aquila’s Mining Permit

On Tuesday, February 16th, Save the Wild U.P. submitted a letter to the MDEQ asking them to deny Aquila Resources’ Back Forty application on the basis of fraudulent or misleading “life of mine” statements. Over the past week, 829 concerned citizens signed onto the letter, some on behalf of organizations they represent, including Superior Watershed Partnership, Friends of the Land of Keweenaw, the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition, The Western Mining Action Network, Save our Sky Blue Waters, Concerned Citizens of Big Bay, Sugar Law Center, numerous fishing clubs, and more.

SWUP’s Public Comment re: Aquila Back Forty

SWUP provided substantial public comment to the MDEQ concerning the Back Forty mining application, and sent a strongly worded request to Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), with supporting comments, asking that the MDNR deny an underlying “Land Swap” proposed by Aquila Resources. The proposed land swap between Aquila Resources and the State of Michigan would destroy critical habitat, threatened and endangered species, invaluable archaeological sites, and treaty-protected natural and cultural resources of the Menominee Nation of Wisconsin.

“The proposed Land Swap is not in the Public Interest, and would result in an uncalculated loss of ecological services, with adverse impacts on freshwater fisheries, wildlife including threatened and endangered species, human health and welfare, environmental justice and special aquatic sites,” said Kathleen Heideman, SWUP president.

Aquila plans to develop a large open pit sulfide mine on the Menominee River northwest of Stephenson, extracting rock to create a pit over 750 feet deep and at least a quarter mile wide, processing ore – containing lead, zinc, copper, gold and other heavy metals using flotation, cyanide and smelting – and dumping their waste on the banks of Upper Michigan’s largest watershed.

SWUP’s public comments raised serious concerns about the mining application and the company’s environmental impact assessment (EIA), including: threats to sturgeon fisheries and freshwater mussels, shoddy or inadequate EIA surveys that missed or misidentified plants and failed to mention threatened and endangered species, the vulnerability of the mine site to flood hazards, the hazardous use of cyanide and mercury in smelting, reclamation plans based on the environmentally disastrous Flambeau Mine, the planned destruction of regulated wetlands and vernal pools, groundwater draw-down, the potential instability of highly-fractured and faulted rock at this site, Aquila’s plan to backfill the pit with acid-generating waste rock, and more.

As designed, much of Aquila Back Forty mine facility, including a majority of the Back Forty’s near-surface orebody, much of the Open Pit, and all of the Oxide Tailings Waste Rock Management Facility (TWRMF), would be built on State Land that is currently part of the Escanaba State Forest. The land that Aquila wants for an open pit mine and a perpetual waste rock facility are not currently owned by Aquila Resources.

“The Back Forty mine application raises more red flags than I can count – critical oak savannas, sturgeon fisheries, treaty-protected natural resources, and indigenous archaeological sites will be threatened or destroyed by this mining operation,” said Maxwell. “The U.P. is tired of being a long-term sacrifice zone for short-term profits.”

“We seem, as a society, to be ever ready to relinquish this public stewardship of the wild for the sake of private gains for a few, and contribute through ill-considered industrial-scale projects to an ongoing degrading of the landscape. Is reducing and mitigating damage the best that we can do?” asked Jon Saari, SWUP vice president.

Wednesday’s well-attended forum included multiple presentations from experts offering brief overviews of the proposed mining activities, the environmental impacts from mining activities, and significant regulatory steps taken by Menominee and Lake township residents to protect their citizens from the dangers of sulfide mining. During Guy Reiter’s presentation, he asked that the audience stand and pledge to “get involved” and every single person stood up and promised to work for the protection of the Upper Peninsula’s clean water and wild places.

Additional Info:

SWUP Public Comments to DEQ:
http://bit.ly/SWUPAQUILADEQ

SWUP Letter to DNR:
http://bit.ly/SWUPAQUILADNR

SWUP Sign-On Letter “Deny Aquila Back Forty Application”:
http://bit.ly/SWUPSIGNONLETTERPUBLIC

SWUP Essay on Fraudulent Life of Mine:
http://bit.ly/2131zPF

Don’t Undermine the Menominee: Forum on Aquila’s Back Forty Mine Proposal

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

MARQUETTE — Local environmental group Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP) is collaborating with the Menominee River Front 40 group, regional environmentalists, Menominee tribal leaders, archaeologists and mining experts to hold an informational forum on Aquila Resources’ Back Forty mine permit application. The forum will be held in the Shiras Room of the Peter White Public Library in Marquette on Wednesday, February 17th from 6pm – 8pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Aquila Resources has applied to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for a mine permit. Aquila plans to develop a large open pit sulfide mine on the Menominee River northwest of Stephenson, extracting rock, processing ore – containing lead, zinc, copper, gold and other heavy metals using flotation, cyanide and smelting – and dumping their waste on the banks of Upper Michigan’s largest watershed.

“Sulfide mines are known to pollute indefinitely. This mine doesn’t belong on the Menominee River,” said Alexandra Maxwell, SWUP’s executive director.

The forum will include a slideshow, and experts offering brief overviews of the proposed mining activities, the environmental impacts from those mining activities, the potential loss of archaeological and cultural resources of the Menominee Nation and the significant regulatory steps taken by Menominee and Lake township residents to protect their citizens from the dangers of sulfide mining.

Wednesday’s “Don’t Undermine the Menominee” forum features a panel of experts from Michigan and Wisconsin, including: Gary Besaw, Menominee Indian Tribal Chairman; Denny Caneff, the executive director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin; Ron Henriksen, who joined the Front 40 Environmental Group to oppose the open pit metallic sulfide mine along the banks of the Menominee River; Dr. David Overstreet, a professor of archaeology at the College of the Menominee Nation; Doug Cox, the environmental program coordinator for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin; Guy M. Reiter, an environmental advocate and a member of the Menominee Conservation Commission; and Chuck Brumleve, an environmental mining specialist and geologist.

“We’re truly honored to host such a knowledgeable and passionate panel of experts. The future of the Menominee River is at stake,” said Kathleen Heideman, SWUP’s president.

The Back Forty mine permit application – over 37,500 pages, including environmental impact assessment – is currently under review by the Michigan’s DEQ. Concerned citizens, regional environmental organizations, and the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin are also scrutinizing the permit. “The Back Forty mine application raises more red flags than I can count – critical oak savannas, sturgeon fisheries, treaty-protected natural resources, and indigenous archaeological sites will be threatened or destroyed by this mining operation,” said Maxwell.

“Almost all of the rock Aquila plans to extract will be highly reactive, so acid mine drainage is going to be a serious issue here,” said Heideman.

“The DEQ has done almost nothing to educate the public about Aquila’s mining plans. This forum is long overdue. Yoopers have been hearing big promises from this company for over a decade. Everyone needs to be aware of the threats posed by this project,” said Maxwell. “This is a great opportunity for all of us to learn what’s really at stake — Michigan’s clean water, as usual, and the health and well-being of our communities. The U.P. is tired of being a long-term sacrifice zone for short-term profits.”

The public comment deadline for the Aquila application is Tuesday, February 16th at 5pm. Concerned citizens are urged to send comments and concerns to: MDEQ Back Forty Mine Comments, Office of Oil, Gas, and Minerals, 1504 West Washington Street, Marquette, Michigan, 49855; or by email to Joe Maki: makij3@michigan.gov

MEDIA LINKS

“Don’t Undermine the Menominee” Event Page: http://bit.ly/MQTMenomineeForum

GUEST SPEAKER BIOS + PHOTOS

Gary Besaw is the Tribal Chairman of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.
photo: http://bit.ly/BesawImage

Chuck Brumleve is an environmental mining specialist and geologist.
photo: http://bit.ly/CBrumleveImage

Denny Caneff is the Executive Director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin.
photo: http://bit.ly/DCaneffImage

Doug Cox is the Environmental Program Director for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.
photo: http://bit.ly/DCoxImage

Ron Henriksen is the spokesman for the group Menominee River Front 40.
photo: http://bit.ly/RHenriksenImage

Guy M. Reiter is a traditional Menominee Indian, an environmental advocate and a member of the Menominee Conservation Commission.
photo: http://bit.ly/GReiterImage

David Overstreet is the Principal Investigator at Center for Cultural Research, and professor at the College of the Menominee Nation.
photo: http://bit.ly/DOverstreetImage

Songs and Stories of Cycling Lake Superior: Surrounding Water

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

MARQUETTE — Local environmental nonprofit Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP) will host an evening of song and storytelling featuring singer-songwriter and clean water advocate Ben Weaver. The event takes place Friday, February 12th, and starts at 6pm at the Marquette Women’s Federated Clubhouse.

SWUP hosted Ben Weaver in July of 2015 as he circumnavigated Lake Superior on his bicycle, raising awareness about the environmental stewardship of Lake Superior. Weaver, a Minnesota- based musician, has toured extensively in Europe and North America, with critically acclaimed recordings and a “hillbilly Leonard Cohen” stage presence. Weaver visited communities around Lake Superior — working with local parks and environmental groups to help raise awareness and tell new stories about how we can take better care of our freshwater resources.

Weaver is returning to tell stories from his trip, sharing songs, poems and videos from all around Lake Superior. “We are happy to offer a wild alternative to the corporate-sponsored events in town,” said SWUP director, Alexandra Maxwell. “Ben is an incredible talent and we are so happy to welcome him back and hear all the inspiration he gathered. I think his project really resonates with folks —advocating for the protection of Lake Superior while getting out there and really experiencing the landscape first-hand.”

“This past July, I circled Lake Superior on a bicycle in 16 days. Along the way, I performed for audiences in small towns, on behalf of Provincial Parks, the Great Lakes Commons, Save the Wild U.P., Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, F.O.L.K., and other environmental groups, in order to raise awareness about clean water and Lake Superior,” said Weaver. “I’ve been riding bikes around the country for several years now, preferring to do my performances outdoors or in alternative spaces, using music and bikes to offer new ideas about how we can live more fulfilled, satisfying lives with healthier connections to our land and ecosystems.”

“Ben brings together so many facets of Save the Wild U.P.’s work. Insight is gained from time spent in nature, it can inform the way we interact with the world at large, and Ben will be sharing his insights with fellow concerned citizens. Ben Weaver wants us all to ‘become better ancestors’ — I love that idea,” said Kathleen Heideman, SWUP president.

The event is $10 at the door with proceeds benefitting the work of Save the Wild U.P. and Ben Weaver’s advocacy on behalf of the Great Lakes Commons. For more information on the event, check out SWUP’s facebook page: http://bit.ly/BWFBEvent

Founded in 2004, Save the Wild U.P. is a grassroots organization dedicated to defending the Upper Peninsula of Michigan’s clean water and wild places from the threat of sulfide mining. For more information contact info@savethewildup.org or call (906) 662-9987. Get involved with SWUP’s work at savethewildup.org on Facebook at facebook.com/savethewildup or on Twitter @savethewildup.

Related Links:

Promotional Image of Ben Weaver: http://bit.ly/BenWeaverIMG
Image of Ben on bike: http://bit.ly/BenWeaverBike
Save the Wild U.P. Event Page: http://bit.ly/BWFBEvent
Explore Ben Weaver’s Music: http://bit.ly/BWRatherBeABuffalo

benweaver-bike

Action Alert — Sign-On Letter To Michigan’s DEQ

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

Our message is simple, really.

“We respectfully request that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) act to deny Aquila Resources’ Back Forty mine permit application, in light of serious and fundamental misrepresentations (….)

Click ‘READ THE SIGN-ON LETTER’ (below) to review the full letter, then SIGN ON!
For further analysis, read this: Will Michigan DEQ Reject Fraudulent Mine Permit?

UPDATE: thanks to everyone who signed! Our letter has been submitted to the MDEQ with 829 signatures! At this time, anyone with comments to make regarding the proposed sulfide mining project on the Menominee River should contact Joe Maki, District Geologist, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality makij3@michigan.gov – thank you for getting involved, speaking out, and protecting our clean water!

Michigan DEQ: Reject Fraudulent Mine Permit Application

Thanks, the petition is now closed.

End date: Feb 16, 2016

Signatures collected: 829

829 signatures

Latest Signatures
829	Jane Stripling
828	Denise Yost
827	Patricia Moschelli
826	Patrick Moser
825	Christine Saari
824	Neil Cameron
823	Billie Kitzman
822	Gerald Sapp
821	John Bermingham, Jr.
820	BRENDA NOUSIAINEN
819	Sandra Aldridge
818	Yasmin Leischer
817	Evans Rick
816	Hunter Dorn
815	Angie Suther
814	Delilah Kopec
813	Mike Goeser
812	Kristin Schmit
811	Nathan Jandl
810	Elaine Laitila
809	zach lancaster
808	Carla Champagne
807	Abigail Manson
806	Tristan Kloss
805	Hillary Brandenburg
804	Cynthia Brown
803	Ruth Smith
802	Leanne Jones
801	Breann Steeland
800	Ryan Stuber
799	Kerry Yost
798	Greg Bennett
797	Stan Kopec
796	Lorene Waybrant
795	Sandra Dankert
794	Dennis Dankert
793	Paul Thomas Cahill
792	SeanCahill Cahill
791	Steven Perry
790	Judith Anlauf
789	Peter Johns
788	Melissa White
787	Helen Corkin
786	Curt Schlesinger
785	Robert Hazen
784	robin bender
783	Shane Suther
782	Kay Huey
781	Joe Atemborski
780	Jon Heaton
779	Sharon Pio
778	Michael List
777	William Murphy
776	peggy holappa
775	Will Winans
774	Bill Ahrens
773	Shawn Stanley
772	Glen Gordon
771	KATHLEEN MOONEY
770	Steve Timmer
769	Katherine Carlson
768	Lyle Espenscheid
767	Michael Norden
766	Kate Bortell
765	Zach Carlson
764	joe ziolkowski
763	Rebekah Foster
762	Tamra Booker
761	allison youngs
760	Michael Johll
759	Aaron Klemz
758	Rebekah Russell
757	Paticia Dunstan
756	Michael Janik
755	Dylan Maass
754	Mark Pavlovich
753	Norm Christnacht
752	Rick Smith
751	John NEBEL
750	Josh Radlein
749	Michael Reynolds
748	Daniel Cibulka
747	David Higley
746	Nate Sipple
745	Brian Beuchel
744	jude torre
743	Bart Durham
742	Scott Ferguson
741	Tim Boerner
740	Elizabeth Riley
739	Bruce Eggum
738	Mark Kasick
737	DJ Malloy
736	Hannah Matousek
735	Kyle Zempel
734	William Taylor Jr.
733	Jerome Pasdo
732	Randy Berndt
731	gail walter
730	katharine dawson
729	Sue Tasker
728	Nathan Tasker
727	Dave Pinczkowski
726	Bart Landwehr
725	Drew Hoffman
724	Charlie Piette
723	Marie Tomlin
722	Tom Boerner
721	Mark Stears
720	Bram Downs
719	norman minas
718	Kerry Delgoffe
717	Fredrick Robinson
716	James nowakowski
715	Mike Clifford
714	Betty Cox
713	Ann Stadel
712	Eric Bogel
711	summer sweet
710	Diadra decker
709	Carol Young
708	Laura Cantillo
707	Barbara Johnson
706	Karen Wertanen
705	Frank Harford
704	Douglas Hayes
703	Amanda hagerl
702	Steve Nelson
701	Eileen Lynch
700	June Rydholm
699	Eugene Collins
698	Karen Loewecke
697	Jamie Hall
696	Nancy McSwain
695	Stewart J Tolbert
694	Matthew Schick
693	Sara Culver
692	Frank Verito
691	Meghan McCarroll
690	Sam Harmon
689	Richard Gronlund
688	ginger winn
687	Paul Waechtler
686	Jonathan Thomas
685	Maureen Post
684	Ted Mattson
683	Jacquelyn Lauerman
682	mb steisslinger
681	Evan Burton
680	Tracann Mueller
679	Erick Polaski
678	Eric Stenzel
677	Amaris I. Nazario
676	Alora Steffen
675	Emily Clark
674	Jenna Taylor
673	Julia Johnson
672	Tori Sobkowiak
671	Elizabeth J Bates
670	Michael Furton
669	Morgan Furton
668	Angie Furton
667	Sandra French
666	Mike Hubert
665	Caren Shatter
664	Linda Haroldson
663	Jeff Hubbard
662	Jeff Haroldson
661	Matt Zudweg
660	Margaret Pierson
659	Chelsea Michalec
658	Hassan HASAN
657	LAURA DRAKE
656	James Wright
655	J Johnson
654	Denise Victor
653	Siobhan Marks
652	Ryan Cagney
651	Wes Raymond
650	Charles Weaver
649	Karen Salomone
648	melissa Taylor
647	stephen wolf
646	Michael Boerner
645	Karen Plansky
644	Emma Tembreull
643	Justin Hulett
642	Leslie Almgren
641	Bryan Akins
640	Karl Natschke
639	David Walton
638	Rosemary Grier
637	Ashley Riley
636	Susan Belanger
635	Robert Anderson
634	Alan Kwit
633	Julie Simmons
632	Chloe Burke
631	Ann Hunt
630	Lorne Beatty
629	Amanda Estey
628	John Loebach
627	Hoyle Sneed
626	Emily Gantner
625	David Koenig
624	N. D
623	Pam Mountain
622	joe vidito
621	Axel Anderson
620	Barbara Anderson
619	Jane Reyer
618	Alicia Kilbry
617	Julie Thacker
616	Leslie Szamosvari
615	Justin Carfagnini
614	Joshua Borton
613	Amy Liebetrau
612	Jane Strom
611	Brock Francis
610	Anthony Rosati
609	James Christle
608	Andrew Jaworski
607	Grenetta Fink
606	Anna Norris
605	David Warren
604	Janelle Addy
603	rachel stender
602	Cheryl Nenn
601	Benjamin Kachelmuss
600	Donna Miller
599	Richard W Smelter
598	james vogeltanz
597	Stephanie Brooks
596	Jackson Scholl
595	Will Arisman
594	Liz Kirkwood
593	Paul McCullough
592	James Lauerman
591	Carol Johnson
590	Ruth Pickering
589	William Freese
588	Barbara Weber
587	susan gateley
586	Craig Holderness
585	Mary Jo Walters
584	Edward Buric
583	Dan Wolf
582	Margaret Fry
581	Mark Stewart
580	Vincent Bertolini
579	ron kurasz
578	william scharf
577	Zack Tucker
576	Marlene Monson
575	Ann Rogers
574	Dale Olen
573	Mary Wilkins
572	Leonard vogltanz
571	Amy Vogltanz
570	josephine mandamin
569	Lauren Ross
568	ZIggy Kleinau
567	Anne Alton
566	Kevin Daugherty
565	Steven Salinas
564	Patricia Johnson
563	jean Stegeman
562	Lynsey Lehmann
561	Jocelyn Chouinard
560	Cindy Black
559	William Fenner
558	Ruth MacLean
557	JJ Jensen
556	Katelyn Mehl
555	Kim Schall
554	Abdallah Eid
553	Eric Schaaf
552	Kathie VanDonsel
551	Riley Powers
550	Kathie Brown
549	Lauren Franklin
548	Luke Schilling
547	Kym Doetsch
546	Stephanie Davis
545	Bruce Groulx
544	Ken Gaspar
543	Brittany Blackburn
542	Carolyn` Laurin
541	Paul Krutulis
540	James Nudd
539	gordon patriarca
538	Brett Larson
537	Connor Remsburg
536	Brian Conner
535	Jim Voss
534	Hanzo Jimenez
533	Dylan Brooks
532	jenna woodruff
531	Michael Loukinen
530	Logan Lehmann
529	Justin Bailey
528	wm steiner
527	Laura Long
526	Bailey Ryan
525	Danielle Molenaar
524	Christa Schmidt
523	Alvin Cole
522	Anna Dingman
521	Jack Komos
520	Olivia Kingery
519	Gregory Paddock
518	Reauna Brushaber
517	william mcfarland
516	Randy Hebert
515	Anders Lundgren
514	Justin Mitchell
513	Starr Dixon
512	John Anderson Jr
511	F Michelle Halley
510	Herbert Grenke
509	Colleen O'Neill
508	Nickolas Firth
507	Melissa Montevideo
506	haley grant
505	bob Lalonde
504	Emily Popkey
503	Rachel Bommarito
502	Barbara Kane Anderson
501	Jenifer Upshur
500	Connor Boudreau
499	Veronica Reeber
498	Olivia Hart
497	Mark Johnson
496	Molly Brown
495	Jean Limback
494	Tommy McDonald
493	Alyssa Matta
492	sue little
491	Amelia Hoover
490	Eddie Cargill
489	Brianna Doan
488	Ryne Mitra
487	Shane O'Brien
486	Nicholas Beaudreault
485	Kelly Brown
484	Brian Neumeier
483	Warren Jay Hubbard
482	Marilyn Reimann
481	Shari Fill
480	Jarett Sobkowiak
479	Kathryn Ourlian
478	Andrea Jordan
477	Michael Williams
476	Lily Van Der Bosch
475	Jacob Raj
474	joshua johnson
473	Marion Berger
472	Karlee Remoli
471	Jacob Aday
470	Libby Barbercheck
469	Brad Lee
468	Durwyn Chaudier
467	Quinn Harris
466	Jane Hendrick
465	Joshua Wolford
464	Andrew Eash
463	Sophia Hart
462	Meghan Smith
461	brian Jones
460	Kathy Bosley
459	Mackenzie Anderson
458	Jared Godinez
457	Kile parker
456	Sarah McIntosh
455	Jacob Yglesias
454	Steven Melchi
453	Cayleen Diffin
452	Bartholomew Endres
451	Debbie Tatro
450	Paul Tangora
449	Noah Bauer
448	Ashley Davis
447	Natalie Pasterz
446	Tiffny Wilsey
445	Melody Strait
444	Robert Wessel
443	Lo Rowland
442	Ian Roberts
441	Zachary Schneider
440	Darwin Nichols
439	Ryan Hagen
438	harleigh schumacher
437	Megan Strait
436	Samantha Stanis
435	Sam Jochum
434	Jacob McGraw
433	Kelli Egeler
432	Devin Moore
431	John Walker
430	Alexandra Ritter
429	Valerie Clevenger
428	Ray Little
427	Leah Bellus
426	Carol Delaski
425	Nadezda Matic
424	Mike Bur
423	Ryne Hass
422	Amy Clark
421	Cassie Sobkowiak
420	Wendel Johnson
419	Charles Bagdade
418	Zelda Ziemer
417	David Bradley
416	fran whitman
415	Christopher Fries
414	Trygve Rhude
413	Karlee Merkling
412	Jack Parker
411	Jean Kollross
410	Tom DeDamos
409	Robert Hovet
408	Deborahh Ahlstedt
407	Donald FIinwall
406	Tim Carden
405	Vicki Ballas
404	Gary Dill
403	Frank Rutherford
402	gerald kirkish
401	HERBERT SCHLATTER
400	Jill Merritt
399	Warren Anderson
398	Doris Heideman
397	Marty Mack
396	leslie karau
395	Claudia Baker
394	Robert Webb
393	Paul Melchior
392	Justine Yglesias
391	AnneMarie Schaut
390	Lanning Hochhauser
389	Mindy Otto
388	Todd Witzman
387	James Gould
386	Quin Kovar
385	Alycea Maki
384	Amy Provenzano
383	Ruth Schaut
382	Jane Wisniewski
381	Mark Young
380	Lauren Yellen
379	Beth Waukechon
378	Susan Crane
377	Marlene Williams
376	Dani Skinner
375	Linda Carps
374	Elizabeth Brown
373	Ryan Brandt
372	Rachael Anthony
371	tom ferguson
370	lydia garvey
369	mitzi frank
368	Shelly La Rock
367	Carla Bloom
366	George Wilson
365	Nancy Smith
364	Paul Straka
363	Jennifer Powell
362	Matthew Schaut
361	Megan Rhadigan-Brack
360	Richard Levin
359	Barbara Vanderwall
358	Jeff LeClair
357	Tyler Dettloff
356	Sarah Karnes
355	Andrea Hunt
354	Thomas Haight
353	nancy dotlo
352	Chloe Leisure
351	Lynn Marie Suits
350	Sommer Desotell
349	John Berry jr
348	Janeen Rastall
347	Emily Anderson
346	Dennis Grzezinski
345	Laura Paalanen
344	Jan Wierenga
343	Kathleen Henry
342	Thane Padilla
341	Therese Yglesias
340	wayne nelson
339	eugene orwig
338	Walter E. "Ted" Auch
337	Raymond Krueger
336	Rainbow Barry
335	ben weaver
334	Janis Glaus
333	Carol Henriksen
332	Mary Freele
331	Paul Liegeois
330	marji lasky
329	Dennis Bomberry
328	Sarah Carhoun
327	Diane Fitch
326	Mary Witzman
325	Linda Jaehnig
324	Marcia Axtell
323	william jaehnig
322	Elizabeth Kiland
321	Maureen Zormeier
320	Andrea Jackson
319	TJ Xanadu
318	Jennifer King
317	Mary Cook
316	Kyle Bladow
315	Kimberly Horn
314	Tracy Voss
313	Christi Caughey
312	Andrew Rasner
311	Sheila Martin
310	Nichole Rasner
309	Sari Embley
308	Sandra Nye
307	bobbi mcguire
306	Lynn Steiner
305	Harry Blessing
304	Myron Bezdicek
303	ANTHONY PINGITORE
302	Gail Semer
301	Matthew Staley
300	Wendy Johnson
299	justin djupstrom
298	James Weltzien
297	william shankle
296	Kathleen Martin
295	William Greenwald
294	Lawrence Bates
293	Steven Peters
292	Charles Truscon
291	Jon Saari
290	Allen Duford
289	Peter Pingitore Sr
288	Barry Coddens
287	Gail Griffith
286	John Rebers
285	Don Machalk
284	Terry Block
283	Linda Robinson
282	Ron Henriksen
281	GREGORY PAWLIK
280	clinton lawson
279	Nicholas Dragiewicz
278	susan freberg
277	Diann King
276	Lynnette Haemmerle
275	Nancy Kardos
274	Miranda Berndt
273	Allan Mouford
272	Mark LoVerde
271	Peter Linke
270	Deborah Skubal
269	Guy Reiter
268	lori merkling
267	Barbara With
266	Paul Lehmberg
265	Donald Delaski
264	RENEE BERG
263	Barb Barton
262	taylor robinson
261	Destiny Schreiber
260	Emily Babcock
259	Cheryl Esslinger
258	Madeline Barnes
257	Dennis Albert
256	Evan Blagec
255	Shirley Pisani
254	Deborah Stuart
253	Ruth Almen
252	Margaret Breaud
251	Josepj ANDERSON
250	Nathan Simpson
249	Angie Rasner
248	Stephen Kellner
247	Pamela Harju-Sawaski
246	Jennifer Gross
245	Jane Bailey
244	Sara Kagabitang
243	Jennifer Howell
242	JEFF PREFONTAINE
241	Mason Giordano
240	JoAnne Beemon
239	Jud Sojourn
238	william lindahl
237	Cheryl Miller
236	Melanie Corp
235	Joyce Berg
234	Evan Farmer
233	Daniel VandenAvond
232	Ronald Kroeger
231	Justice Petonquot
230	Bonnie Murphy
229	charles smith
228	Jenny Magli
227	Lillian Heldreth
226	mike joosten
225	Sarah Babcock
224	Madi Giordano
223	Sarajane Snyder
222	Chris Heinz
221	Suz McLaughlin
220	Jackie Cody
219	Becky Symons
218	Kelly Weaver
217	terri laduke
216	Ronald Mullins
215	Erica Blanton
214	clyde winter
213	Dr. Phil Bellfy
212	James Knutson
211	Jill Guard
210	steve sohn
209	Dianne Dagelen
208	Chelsea Thorpe
207	Carol Cavanaugh
206	Patricia Lord
205	Kevin McGrath
204	Jon Wesenberg
203	Diane Reupert
202	Darwin Adams
201	Jeffrey Hilgert
200	Kathleen Richards
199	Jim Williams
198	Claire Vanderslice
197	Jeannie Endrizzi
196	Sue Savage
195	Barbara Winkler
194	Triena Rudder
193	Harvey Taylor
192	Juliana Reimann
191	Dale Kakkak
190	Cari Raboin
189	debraann severns
188	Deborah Ross
187	Roslyn McGrath
186	Clifford Mortimer
185	Kym Spring
184	David Soumis
183	Diana Wright
182	Debbie Kujawski
181	Mary Ellen Krieg
180	Sarah Lacy
179	Dawn Walden
178	Edward Furton
177	Andrew DeGraw
176	John Endrizzi
175	Randy Day
174	Mike Godleski
173	Bryan Fuller
172	Thistle Pettersen
171	Anne Steinberg
170	Steven Garske
169	Andy boucher
168	Maureen Hughson
167	Heather Andersen
166	Tom Mountz
165	Kathy Wright
164	Mary Musich
163	Torrey Youngstrum
162	Donna Kmiecik
161	Jessica Straczowski
160	Barbara Lake
159	Philip Smith
158	Lauretta Leinonen
157	Rick Zoerb
156	Patricia Popple
155	Karen Riggen
154	caryn treiber
153	Jeff rosene
152	Pam Maak
151	Anna Quist
150	Marsha Reeves
149	Edward Miller
148	Aileen O'Day
147	John H Kraemer
146	Mary Brininstool
145	John Retzlaff
144	Rebecca Hillier
143	Dorothy S Kahler
142	Bridget Krantz
141	Forest Jahnke
140	Connie LaPointe
139	Linda Rulison
138	Laura Smyth
137	James Wojcik
136	Lucinda Wojcik
135	Barbara & Lee Geerlings
134	Tina Lesperance
133	Christine Zoey
132	Eric Beall
131	Irene Gannon
130	Elmore Reese
129	John Sherman-Jones
128	Alexandra Thebert
127	Marilynn Hinman
126	michael snay
125	Patricia Rader
124	Mary Sparkman
123	Eric Cooley
122	Megan Kemink
121	James Borst
120	jim brennan
119	Randy Holdt
118	Daniel Lesperance
117	Lynn Shoemaker
116	Greg Roll
115	stacey lesperance
114	Lisa Leggio
113	Carol Buelow
112	Laura Farwell
111	Cherise Udell
110	John Philo
109	Scott Carhoun
108	Deena Brazy
107	Chris Hatcher
106	Lindsey Dupler
105	Katy Ralph-Moore
104	Lisa Herrmann
103	Natalene Cummings
102	Jane Schley
101	Barbara Michael
100	Carol Ann Henderson
99	John Engel
98	Kathleen Howay
97	Carl Sack
96	Jay Wisnosky
95	Dan Sarka
94	Donald Anderson
93	Dale Pautzke
92	Carolyn Dekker
91	Randall Nichols
90	Corey Haselhuhn
89	Susan Michetti
88	Brian Bottkol
87	Greg Senyo
86	Bernie Schlafke
85	James Hughes
84	Daniel Henshaw
83	Laura Olah
82	HORST SCHMIDT
81	Kathleen Davis
80	Thomas Hafner
79	Sandy Allen
78	Michele Bourdieu
77	Catherine Parker
76	steve ferguson
75	Michael S Goodman
74	Gareth Stevens
73	Levinia Parker
72	Marc Rosenthal
71	walt rippa
70	Bernie Draxler-Laurich
69	Regina Alleman
68	Patricia Hammel
67	Mike Schultz
66	Sarah Juon
65	Martin Reinhardt
64	David Allen
63	Toni Harris
62	Judy Hoekman
61	ellen lord
60	Patrica Gillis
59	Al Gedicks
58	Nathan Frischkorn
57	Pamela Albert
56	Pamela Roll
55	Gary Ballweg
54	Lori Andresen
53	Dick Dragiewicz
52	Connie Sue Martin
51	Frederick Altenbernt
50	clara chosa
49	Gene Champagne
48	Jeffery Loman
47	Andy Cocallas
46	jane pajot
45	Mary Martin
44	Carl Lindquist
43	Richard Sloat
42	Eeva Miller
41	Charlie West
40	Susan Wood
39	Heather Valli
38	Lois Bressette
37	Louis Galdieri
36	susan kiligian
35	Beth Clancy
34	Brian Bunch
33	Wendy Johnson
32	Diane Husic
31	Anne Sheret
30	Richad Huey
29	Sarah Redmond
28	Betsy Rice
27	Lois Mickna
26	Perri Cooper
25	Melissa Sharkey
24	Gayle Shumaker
23	Sharon Nickel
22	Tom Parker
21	David Balding
20	Jessica Koski
19	Gregg Bruff
18	Roxanna Pritchard
17	John Mattis
16	Keith Glendon
15	michael riesterer
14	jeffrey hynes
13	Jessica Sory
12	Janet Joswiak
11	MARY KOSTAMO
10	Laurie Champagne
9	tammy shega
8	Theodore Berg
7	Krystal Billings
6	Paula Fuller
5	Nancy Haun
4	Margaret Comfort
3	Daniel Rydholm
2	Alexandra Maxwell
1	Kathleen Heideman

NOTE: This letter, and a list of all signatures, will be submitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality at 12 noon on February 16, 2016, as part of the Public Comment period for the Back Forty mine permit application. A copy of the final submitted letter will be sent to all signatories. Thank you!

Will Michigan DEQ Reject Fraudulent Mine Permit?

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Posted on February 4, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

MARQUETTE – Grassroots environmental group Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP) has announced that they will be asking Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to reject Aquila’s Back Forty mine permit application. SWUP is raising alarming questions about false or contradictory statements made in Aquila Resources’ Back Forty mine permit application. Aquila plans on developing an open pit sulfide mine on the Menominee River, extracting rock, processing ore – containing lead, zinc, copper, gold and other heavy metals – with flotation, cyanide and smelting, and dumping their waste on the banks of Upper Michigan’s largest watershed.

TAKE ACTION: join our SIGN-ON letter to Michigan’s DEQ!

The Back Forty mine permit application – over 37,500 pages, including the environmental impact assessment – is currently under review by the MDEQ. Concerned citizens, regional environmental organizations, and the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin are also scrutinizing the permit.

When reviewing any mine proposal, one basic question must be answered: “what is the proposed Life of Mine (LOM)?” In order to correctly calculate a mine’s risks, benefits and cumulative environmental impacts, an accurate LOM estimate is essential. According to Aquila’s permit application, “The (Back Forty) Project will be an open pit mining operation” and the “Life of Mine (LOM) operation is planned to be approximately 7 years.”

This is misleading. Elsewhere, Aquila describes the Back Forty project as having a “16 year life of mine (LOM), of which 12.5 Mt is open-pit and 3.6 Mt is underground.” Back Forty is described as a 16 year mine in Aquila’s press releases, in communications with the Menominee Indian Tribe, and in letters to investors and local community leaders. According to their Project Fact Sheet: “we support a transparent process(…) visit our website at aquilaresources.com/projects/back-forty-project for more information.” Visitors to Aquila’s website find a 16 year mine described.

“Apparently, the only folks who haven’t been told about Aquila’s 16 year open pit and underground mining plan are the DEQ regulators who are busy at this very moment, reviewing Aquila’s application for a 7 year open pit mine,” said Kathleen Heideman, SWUP president.

Significantly, the 16 year LOM is described in Aquila’s current NI 43-101 report, required by Canadian Securities Administrators. “Aquila’s NI 43-101 report should be used by Michigan regulators to truth-test whether this company is being ‘open and transparent’ concerning the Back Forty project,” said Michelle Halley, Marquette attorney and member of Save the Wild U.P.’s advisory board.

Is Aquila Lying To State Regulators? Should DEQ Care?

Aquila’s application asserts that mining and milling facilities are scaled to accommodate the life of the mine. By minimizing LOM, the company can misrepresent all of the mine’s impacts, including tailings capacity, size of waste rock storage areas, total limestone needed for neutralizing total waste rock, total need for importing and storing cyanide and other chemicals used in the processing of the ore, total crushing and processing throughput, milling equipment capacity, water treatment plant capacity, dewatering and draw-down estimates, air pollution quantities, noise, pit backfilling estimates, remediation planning, post-closure timelines, and more.

“The Back Forty mine application raises more red flags than I can count – critical oak savannas, sturgeon fisheries, treaty-protected natural resources, and indigenous archaeological sites will be threatened or destroyed by this mining operation. Sulfide mines are known to pollute indefinitely. This mine doesn’t belong on the Menominee River,” said Alexandra Maxwell, SWUP’s executive director.

By claiming that “no underground mining” will occur, Aquila’s application sidestepped valid regulatory concerns under Michigan’s Part 632 rules governing sulfide mining. In the application checklist, underground items were marked “not applicable,” and Aquila skipped questions about Subsidence, Impacts to Public or Private Water Supply Wells, Closure of Openings and more, stating “project does not include an underground mine as such contingency planning for subsidence is not required.” In the permit application, Aquila flatly states “underground mining was considered but rejected (…) underground mining is not a prudent alternative for this ore body. The shallowness of the ore body, specifically the shallow ore zones, heavily influences the effectiveness of open pit mining.”

“Actually, Aquila hasn’t ruled out underground mining anywhere else — only in their permit application. Are they talking out of both sides of their mouth?” asked Heideman. “It undermines their credibility.”

“The Aquila Back Forty project must not be permitted on the basis of a fraudulent permit application for a short-lived open pit mine, only to have the company request endless revisions until Back Forty’s open pit gradually morphs into an unrecognizable and potentially unregulated underground mine,” warned Maxwell.

The Back Forty mine permit application for a 7 year mine appears misleading and inaccurate, at best, and fraudulent at worst. Aquila’s clear intent — expressed in every document except their mine permit application — is to develop a 16 year mine. Tacking on a subsequent underground mining phase could increase the mine’s life by a factor of 129%, forcing dramatic and non-public-involved revisions to every aspect of the permit application currently under review by the State of Michigan.

“If Aquila affirms that this 7 year open pit LOM is accurate, and defends the permit application, all public statements containing the Back Forty’s 16 year life of mine estimate should be viewed as baseless or fraudulent statements, designed to attract investors and gain greater political and community support,” said Heideman.

“Misinformation about the ‘life of mine’ has infected this permit application. We are asking DEQ regulators to act promptly to dismiss Aquila’s mine permit application, given the inaccurate statements. Public trust in our regulatory process is at stake,” said Maxwell.

DEQ Public Comment Deadline Extended

Concerned citizens are urged to submit their written comments by 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Mail comments to MDEQ Back Forty Mine Comments, Office of Oil, Gas, and Minerals, 1504 West Washington Street, Marquette, Michigan, 49855; or by email to Joe Maki: makij3@michigan.gov

Founded in 2004, Save the Wild U.P. is a grassroots organization dedicated to defending the clean water and wild places of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from the threat of sulfide mining. For more information contact info@savethewildup.org or call (906) 662-9987. Get involved with SWUP’s work at savethewildup.org on Facebook at facebook.com/savethewildup or on Twitter @savethewildup.

Menominee Resident Tells DEQ: Aquila Threatens Our River

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Save the Wild UP

Letter to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality:

I am a sixty seven year old retiree who has enjoyed and utilized the Menominee River for most of my life. From biking down to the Hattie Street Bridge as a child to fish or “puddle jump” when the gates of the dam were closed, to swimming, swinging off rope swings, camping, canoeing, kayaking, pontooning and recently eagle watching!

I am also the secretary of the Pflueger Brothers Fishing Club of the Chalk Hill Flowage, and our club has been involved in many conservation and community projects along the Menominee River. These including public access, a free life jacket station, fishing piers, invasive species eradication and walleye stocking. I love this River and can speak for many others who do not want to see it threatened in any way. Especially from something as obvious as an open pit gold mine on its banks.

I attended your public comment forum in Stephenson and agreed with most reports that the” for” and “against” was evenly matched. But one thing was obvious to me – and I hope it was to you as well. And that is that those against the mine spoke with a passion for and a knowledge of the environment. Those for the mine did not even talk about the environment, except to say “Trust Aquila”. They only spoke of money! We all have economic concerns, but Menominee County ranks in the top 10 or 11 Michigan counties with the lowest unemployment. So economic concerns should be a very low priority in this decision.

There are a few points I would like to make that were not brought up at the meeting:

1. “Trust Aquila”…I am sure the company views itself as professional and qualified to take on the project, but it is their first mine! Problems, accidents and failure are inherent in a first time venture of any kind.

2. The Menominee River is a major tributary of Green Bay and the Great Lakes. How does an open pit chemical mine on its banks fit in with the goals of the Great Lakes Compact or the $250 million dollars just budgeted federally for clean up? How does it fit in with the lower Menominee clean up projects of the Wisconsin DNR and Wisconsin Public Service? How does it fit in with the Sturgeon restoration or other stocking programs on the river? And, in general, Pure Michigan! Or how does it fit in with the Menekaunee Harbor Restoration Project at the mouth of the river? I hope you are working with or seeking feedback from these entities as well.

Open pit gold mines in the middle of unpopulated, wilderness areas like those in Nevada have caused many problems and destruction to the local environments. To even think of dropping a mine in an environmentally sensitive area, populated by people who chose to live or own property there because of their love of the environment, nature, peace and tranquility just blows my mind! I believe it takes about 20 tons of ore to produce one gold ring…a ring that will not even stay in this county, but will be marketed to one of the rising middle classes in the far east portions of this globe.

Please make the wisest and most informed decisions when reviewing this application.

Menominee County Resident, Tom DeDamos

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Mining Action Group

The Mining Action Group is a volunteer, grassroots effort to defend the clean water and wild places of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from the dangers of sulfide mining – previously known as Save the Wild U.P.