LRB-3933/1
CMH:ahe
2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
July 28, 2017 - Introduced by Representatives Stuck, Genrich, Mursau, Berceau,
Brostoff, Considine, Crowley, Goyke, Hebl, Mason, Milroy, Ohnstad,
Shankland, Spreitzer, C. Taylor, Wachs and Zepnick, cosponsored by
Senators Hansen, Carpenter, Erpenbach, Larson, Ringhand, Risser and
Vinehout. Referred to Committee on Rural Development and Mining.
AJR69,1,2 1Relating to: opposing the development of Aquila Resources' Back Forty Project, a
2proposed open pit metallic sulfide mine in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
AJR69,1,63 Whereas, Aquila Resources' Back Forty Project, a proposed open pit metallic
4sulfide mine, would be located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on the banks of
5the Menominee River, which empties into Lake Michigan and is one of the largest
6watersheds in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula; and
AJR69,1,97 Whereas, the Menominee River provides a unique habitat for species of special
8concern such as lake sturgeon and freshwater mussels, which would be negatively
9impacted by discharges into the river; and
AJR69,1,1110 Whereas, the potential impacts of the mine include long term leaching of
11acid-producing wastes into the groundwater and the river; and
AJR69,1,1412 Whereas, the hazardous wastes generated by the mine would degrade water
13quality and present risks to human health and the environment in Wisconsin and
14Michigan; and
AJR69,2,2
1Whereas, potential economic losses including reduction in property values and
2loss of tourism revenue are not factored into the permitting review process; and
AJR69,2,53 Whereas, the approval of this mine will result in the loss of significant cultural
4resources of the Menominee Indian tribes of Wisconsin including Native American
5gravesites and other areas of historical significance; now, therefore, be it
AJR69,2,11 6Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the legislature
7opposes the development of Aquila Resources' Back Forty Project, a proposed open
8pit metallic sulfide mine in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, due to its potential
9negative impacts on the natural resources, public health, and economy of Northern
10Wisconsin, and urges the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to deny
11a mining permit for the project; and, be it further
AJR69,2,16 12Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to
13Governor Scott Walker, Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp,
14the county board chairs of Florence, Oconto, Brown, Marinette, Kewaunee, and Door
15counties, the governor of Michigan, and the Michigan Department of Environmental
16Quality.
AJR69,2,1717 (End)
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