Menominee Indian Tribe News



KESHENA, WISCONSIN — The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin applauds the Menominee County, MI Board of Commissioners, for its commitment to protect the Menominee River, including significant cultural resources of the Menominee Tribe. On Tuesday, August 8, the Menominee County Board of Commissioners formally passed a resolution opposing the proposed Back Forty Mine.

The planned mine site is located in Menominee County, Michigan however its impacts would be felt throughout the entire region. Menominee County joins a widespread and diverse opposition that includes multiple Wisconsin counties, cities and towns, tribal nations, bi-partisan Wisconsin state legislators, and tribal, citizen and environmental organizations.

“The Menominee Tribe acknowledges the Menominee County Board Commissioners who had the moral courage to take a stand for what they know is right for their community. The significance of the host community passing a resolution in opposition of the project cannot be understated. When people stand together in solidarity it sends a clear message to political leaders and investors alike - the risks of this project are unacceptable,” stated Menominee Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw.

The massive 83-acre open pit metallic sulfide mine and processing facility is proposed to be located 50 yards from the banks of the Menominee River, which separates Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. If completed, the acid mine drainage from the tailings, waste rock stockpiles and open pit, threaten to permanently devastate and forever change the area.

Aquila Resources, Inc., a Canadian development stage company, has already received three of four permits from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality but the final permit is the hardest to get and efforts to halt the final permit are gaining momentum.



For more information on Menominee’s efforts visit www.noback40.org







Print Friendly and PDF