ACTION ALERT! Need Environmental Impact Statement on White Pine Mine
Please flood EPA with Requests for an EIS
FOR RELEASE: July 31, 1996
Walt Bresette: 715/779-5071
ACID TRAIN UPDATE:
WISCONSIN CENTRAL DERAILS IN CITY OF ASHLAND
At 2 p.m. yesterday a Wisconsin Central train carrying two box engines and
two box cars of wood derailed in the city of Ashland. Media was on the scene
last night as were some of the people protesting Wisconsin Central's
transport of sulfuric acid across the Bad River Chippewa Reservation. A
repair crew was trying to get the remaining engine back on the track; the
other engine and two cars of wood remained on the track and was moved from
the scene. The derailment was caused when one rail snapped in two about 18
inches from where the rails are attached to each other. One Wisconsin
Central official was quoted as saying: "I don't know why people are so
concerned with this minor incident. It happens all the time."
STATE LEAVES TRACKS - FEDERAL MEDIATOR BEING SENT
It is reported that Governor Thompson has requested that a federal mediator
now take over the situation at Bad River. None of the Ashland County police
have been seen at the site since a tense confrontation Monday night. The
camp remains peaceful with more people arriving.
PEACEFUL PROTEST AND CEREMONIES CONTINUE
Contrary to reports of an "armed standoff," the gathering, which is now
entering its ninth day, remains a peaceful, spiritual protest of the
transport of hazardous materials across unsafe tracks to an illegal mine.
All people of good will are invited to join at the tracks to do protest in
their community in solidarity with the Bad River track blockade.
IT CAN ALL END WITH ONE STATEMENT BY EPA
Everyone currently involved in this situation are just doing their jobs: the
rail folks have a contract with White Pine mine to deliver acid; the Ashland
County police have a job to uphold the law; the Anishinabe Ogitchida have a
duty to protect the community. The only people who are not doing their job
is EPA - they have not held one federal hearing on this project.
WE URGE ALL PEOPLE TO CALL EPA BOSS CAROL BROWNER AND DEMAND THAT AN EIS BE
DONE FOR THE WHITE PINE MINE.
If that happens everyone wins. If the mine is as safe as they say then an
EIS would prove it. If EPA calls for an EIS then the rail company can get
out of their liability for the acid transport, giving them time to repair
the tracks. And, without the acid moving and scrutiny of the mine, the
people on the tracks can go home.
What you can do:
Write, phone, or email a message to EPA official Carol Browner Her addresse
and a sample letter follows.
Carol Browner, EPA Administrator
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Ph: 202-260-4700 / FX: 202-260-0279
Email: browner.carol@epamail.epa.gov
Dear Ms. Browner:
I am concerned about the White Pine Mine being approved by EPA Region V in
Chicago apparently without adequate investigation being conducted for
Traditional Cultural Properties as mandated under Public Law 102-575, The
National Historic Preservation Act.
The secondary effects of this project include the shipment of 11 BILLION
gallons of sulfuric acid across the state of Wisconsin. This could place
countless Traditional Cultural Properties in jeopardy.
Under
PUBLIC LAW 102-575-Oct. 30, 1992
106 STAT. 4753
Title XL-NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT AMENDMENTS
SEC.4019. DEFINITIONS
(a) AMENDMENT AND ADDITION OF DEFINITIONS.-Section 301 of the National
Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w) is amended as follows:
(7) [Federal] "Undertaking" means a project, activity, or program funded in
whole or in part under the direct or indirect jurisdiction of a Federal
agency, including:
"(A) those carried out by or on behalf of the agency;
"(B) those carried out with Federal financial assistance;
"(C) those requiring a Federal permit license, or approval; and
"(D) those subject to State or local regulation administered pursuant to a
delegation or approval by a Federal agency."
Therefore, I ask that an Environmental Impact Statement be performed for the
White Pine Copper mine and their transport of sulfuric acid which includes a
full investigation for Traditional Cultural Properties as mandated by Public
Law 102-575, Section 106.
An Urgent Call continues for witnesses with cameras to come to the site.
For directions to the site call: 715-274-6354.
Donations of food and water are and can be sent in care of:
Walt Bresette
Lake Superior Alliance
Route 1, Box 117
Bayfield, WI 54814
Ph: 715-779-5071 / FX: 715-779-3465
Email: bresette@win.bright.net
For more information visit:
http://www.menominee.com/a-one/mccombs/nmw.html
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___________________________________________________________________
The only way to mine metallic sulfides safely in Wisconsin
Is not to mine at all.
For facts -- with references cited -- about the proposed Exxon/Crandon mine,
visit our web page:
http://www.menominee.com/a-one/mccombs/home.htm
Menominee Nation Treaty Rights & Mining Impacts Office
P.O. Box 910
Keshena, WI 54135
Ph: 715-799-5620
FX: 715-799-4525
Email: nomining@keshena.wi.frontiercomm.net