Regional News and Views

Twin Ports Caravan to the Protect the Earth Great Lakes Community Gathering
Friday, July 30, 11:00 am Barker Island Parking Lot, Superior

WaterLegacy is proud to support a grassroots solidarity caravan to a conference put on by the Keewenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and their allies. The conference, featuring Winona LaDuke, includes presentations on environmental threats to the Great Lakes, including sulfide mining.The KBIC, Save the Wild UP, Stand for the Land, and many others have been fighting a sulfide mining proposal in Michigan's upper penninsula for the past several years. More

LAKE SUPERIOR DAY   Sunday, July 18

In honor of the world’s largest and cleanest freshwater lake, towns and communities along the shores of Lake Superior are planning events in tribute to the greatest of the Great Lakes. Picnics, beach clean-ups, library displays, kite flying, concerts, hikes, an essay contest, and government proclamations are all part of the day’s celebration to bring attention to this huge body of water that holds 10 percent of Earth’s fresh water.   More information on activities in Minnesota July 15 - 18

MICHIGAN:

Michigan has "strong environmental regulation", however, the push for short-term jobs has compromised regulators and is putting the beautiful UP (Upper Peninsula) and the Great Lakes at risk of increased pollution from acid mine drainage. 

To stay abreast of the struggle to prevent Kennecott's Eagle Project sulfide metal mine, the most recent permit process in the UP, and citizens' activities see the website, Stand for the Land.  The Native Americans’ rights and local residents’ voice have been systematically silenced, but the activism continues.

For news of the mining threats around the Great Lakes, see the ezine, Headwaters.

Flambeau Mine, Ladysmith WI  

In Wisconsin, the Flambeau Mine has been held up as an example of a clean sulfide operation, but after partial closure, it is still polluting the Flambeau River. 

In July,  Wisconsin Resources Protection Council filed a lawsuit to force the Wisconsin DNR to enforce water quality regulations and monitoring requirements.  The lawsuit holds the agency and company accountable for ongoing pollution at  Kennecott's Flambeau Mine in violation of Wisconsin law as well as the federal Clean Water Act.   (Note:  Kennecot is exploring heavily in Aitkin County, Minnesota.)  Wisconsin media coverage