Climate Change & Environment


Citizen Sleuthing

            Yes, Greenlight Metals, we are watching you. We are watching VERY closely. We saw on May 4 where the DNR has given you “conditional” approval for Greenlight metals to undertake drilling at the Bend Deposit in Taylor County. The Bend Deposit is located about 20 miles northwest of the city of Medford. The area itself is quite remote with the drilling area on a very small piece of upland, less than a quarter mile from the north branch of the Yellow River. Ground water is being monitored at several spots by the University of Wisconsin and is found to ...

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Earth Day 2023

The Northwoods of Wisconsin is defined by its most abundant and rewarding resource, a resource that impacts the region’s economy, its residents, its visitors, and its image.  This resource is the forest land that makes up the greater part of the Northwoods region. These forests are plentiful with opportunities and natural wealth.  They are a source of recreation for people enjoying a wide variety of activities.  A few examples include abundant trails and terrain, acreage accessible for hunting and fishing, and a variety of scenery offering pleasurable sightseeing...

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Pelican River Forest

  In a spectacle more suited to a third world dictatorship than a vibrant democracy, the Oneida County board made a strong statement against conservation of working forest lands on May 16. Ignoring the comments made by over two dozen folks including grandmothers longing for a harmonious future, the board shot a blow to the Pelican River Forest Legacy proposal. While the action was not entirely unexpected, more than one board member’s comments raised my ire. A board member rambled on about the people in Madison removing the severance (yield) tax on Managed ...

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Big Turnout at Wausau’s First-Ever Environmental Health Summit

  Individuals, environmental groups, and elected officials packed the room at the Midwest Environmental Summit in Wausau’s Jefferson Street Inn on Saturday. Attendees from Wausau to Madison to Door County came to listen to state and nationally renowned speakers and groups. Because Citizens for a Clean Wausau, the host of the event, received a grant to put together the regional summit, the public paid absolutely nothing to attend the day-long event and came out in droves. Some featured speakers at the event had actually made national and international ...

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Saving the Porkies

Let’s work together to protect our water, air, soils, aquatic life, wildlife and people from the dangers from metallic sulfide mining. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has a bountiful beauty; the waterfalls, Lake Superior, and the endless forests. The Porcupine Mountains State Park, especially the Presque Isle scenic area, all resting on the shores of Lake Superior, is absolutely priceless. Why would anyone want to destroy this? Highland Copper aims to mine under State Park land, under the Presque Isle River, and possibly even under Lake Superior. This would be ...

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Potential for Mining in Taylor County

The potential location for the Taylor County Mine (Green Light Wisconsin) is along the Yellow River in Taylor County, Wisconsin. The Yellow River enters into the Chippewa River at a location in Chippewa County near Kamp Kenwood (Wisconsin Farmer's Union). It appears there is not an organized group in Taylor County concerned about this mine. If there was a spill or breach at this mine, no doubt it would flow into the Yellow River. Sludge and heavy metals could then flow downstream into Lake Wissota which is part of the Chippewa River system. This is a metallic ...

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Second Verse is Worse Than the First

Not long back Middle Wisconsin shared a story with you, “The Photo of One Hundred Shares.” The photo and story were about the Porcupine Mountains State Park and the potential mining there. It is time to update you on that possibility of mining on State Park land, under the Presque Isle River and possibly even under Lake Superior. This is planned at the west end of the Porcupine Mountains. That story was bad enough, now we have photo two that explains their tailings dam on site. A tailings dam is an earthen dam, and it is created to hold back toxic tailings. ...

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Join us on Earth Day


STATE OF THE MENOMINEE RIVER ADDRESS

I feel it necessary to inform people who reside in this watershed of the most recent information from Gold Resource Corporation, hereinafter referred to as GORO, that owns the Back Forty project in Lake Township.  Also included is an update from the Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc. Last week, Allen Palmiere, CEO of GORO, disclosed its 2022 Net Sales of $138 million dollars with a $6.3 million-dollar loss leaving its balance sheet, after 2022 business expenses, at $23.7 million dollars. Recently GORO announced its decision to cancel all dividend payments ...

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A Pollution Free Future

On Tuesday, March 14, the Wausau City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In approving the resolution Wausau has committed themselves to developing an energy plan and moving the city to becoming 100% clean energy by 2050. There were many good speeches that evening but one that was really heartwarming and future driven was given by Jean Abreu. I would like to share it with you. ~Nancy Here it is: “I’m here to speak in support of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Resolution. Not only is this a Fiscally and ...

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