LOVE FISHING? READ THIS –

The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition’s Mining Action Group is working to secure an Independent Technical Review of Aquila Resources’ Back Forty’s Wetland permit application. If fully permitted by the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Back Forty will be an 800 ft deep open-pit sulfide mine on the banks of the Menominee River – only 100 feet from the water. The Menominee is the largest watershed in Michigan’s wild Upper Peninsula. Milling (using cyanide and other chiicals) will take place on site; tailings and waste rock will be stored on site, and some waste will riain permanently. When mining is complete, the pit will be back-filled with waste rock and tailings. Nearly ALL of the Back Forty’s ore and waste rock is considered “reactive” — capable of producing Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) when exposed to air and water. AMD pollution can devastate watersheds, and last hundreds of years.

OUR GOAL –

We seek an Independent Technical Review of the Aquila Back Forty Wetland permit, to be completed by the Center for Science in Public Participation, which analyzes mining applications in order to provide “objective research and technical advice to people impacted by mining.”

PURPOSE –

The Menominee River is endangered by the Aquila Back Forty, a risky sulfide mine proposal. We are working to defend the exceptional fisheries and water quality of the Menominee River from the significant environmental hazards of sulfide mining. Downstream impacts are especially feared, since the Menominee flows into Lake Michigan. This Technical Review will raise awareness about threats to the Menominee River and Aquila's proposed destruction of wetlands, in order to educate local residents and environmental stakeholders, and ensure that concerned citizens and regulators are made fully aware of all flaws, errors, and omissions in Aquila’s Wetland permit application. We vigorously oppose the permitting of the Back Forty mine. We will ask regulators to deny the Wetland permit, and protect the health of the Menominee River.

SUPPORT –

Thus far, the Mining Action Group of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition and the Menominee River Front 40 have collaboratively secured small grants, donations and pledges from: Freshwater Future, Superior Watershed Partnership, the Western Mining Action Network, DuPage Rivers Fly Tyers (DRiFT), Northern Illinois Fly Tyers (NIFT), Badger Fly Fishers, M&M Great Lakes Sport Fisherman, Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance, the Great Lakes Council of Fly Fishers International, Fly Fishers International, the Emerick Family Fund, and individual fishing enthusiasts throughout the Great Lakes area.

TAKE ACTION –

Donate today to defend the Menominee River from sulfide mining! $9,000 is needed to fund the Center for Science in Public Participation’s Technical Review work. Additional donations support the Mining Action Group’s grassroots outreach and education as we oppose the Aquila Back Forty sulfide mine. Thank you!