Date: Thu, 01 Jan 1998 20:19:22 -0800 (PST)
From: Alice McCombs <amccombs@igc.apc.org>

Contents

1. Wisconsin mining
  a. 1997 accomplishments & 1998 tasks
  b. Candidates state position on the Mining Moratorium Bill

Happy New Year!

My New Year's "Revolution": XXout XXon!
Alice McCombs,list-owner Mining-exchange

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1. Wisconsin mining: 1997 accomplishments & 1998 tasks

January 1, 1998
From: Zoltan Grossman <mtn@igc.apc.org> (fwd)

A Happy Exxon-Free New Year!
*Please circulate, print or save this message*

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ON WISCONSIN MINING IN 1997
AND HOW YOU HELP IN 1998

From the Midwest Treaty Network/
Wolf Watershed Educational Project
http://www.alphacdc.com/treaty/wwep.html
mtn@igc.apc.org

Dear Friend,

We are writing to keep you informed of the events that have
occurred since the Wolf Watershed Educational Project (WWEP)
Speaking Tour up the Wolf and Wisconsin rivers, against Exxon's
proposed Crandon mine. The educational tour focused on the
sulfide mining issue, and the statewide effort to pass the Mining
Moratorium Bill (SB 3/AB 70). The Moratorium would require
companies to prove that they can operate a metallic sulfide mine
safely before they can get a permit--by showing one such mine that
has been closed for 10 years without polluting the environment.

This letter will update you and let you know what you can do at
this critical time.  Our movement is growing by leaps and bounds,
as the following list of achievements in 1997 alone demonstrates.
Our "local" movement has united environmentalists, Native American
nations, sporting groups, and many unionists in an unprecedented and
historic common cause throughout Wisconsin, with support from
around the U.S. and the world.

EXAMPLES OF GRASSROOTS ACHIEVEMENTS IN 1997

*The Mining Moratorium Bill passed the State Senate in March
with a bipartisan state Senate vote of 29-3. The Bill has
been sent to the Assembly for a vote after January 13, 1998;

*At least 81 Wisconsin organizations have supported the Mining
Moratorium Bill, with many counties and over 70 local
communities passing resolutions or going on record in opposition
to the Crandon mine and/or pipeline; (for a list see
http://www.shopperstopper.com/shopper/crandon/

*New local grassroots organizations have been formed along the
Wolf and Wisconsin rivers, and around the state. One new group,
Northwoods Alliance, now boasts over 18,000 members;

*Mining opponents in the Town of Nashville (Forest County), were
elected with an overwhelming vote of support to the Town Board
after the former Board officials signed a local mining agreement
with Exxon;

*Over 1000 people attended a Moratorium rally/hearing in Milwaukee--
two-thirds of those who attended support the bill;

*The Committee of Labor Against Sulfide Pollution (CLASP) was
formed, and has gained resolutions from numerous union locals
around the state. See http://www.alphacdc.com/treaty/uswa.html

*American Rivers listed the Wolf River as the
Fifth Most Endangered River in the U.S., due to the Crandon Mine;

*A second WWEP Circle Tour reached 20 communities in southern
and western Wisconsin in the summer and fall;

*The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc., an organization made up
of the 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin, passed a resolution
supporting the Mining Moratorium;

*Citizen petitions for the Moratorium bill (totalling over 20,000
signatures) were received by Rep. Spencer Black;

*An additional 15,000 signatures were presented to the Natural
Resources Board, which governs the DNR;

*Many new web sites and Internet networks were set up for
education and communication (see list at end of letter);

*An extensive public relations campaign  included many effective
editorials from citizens, and radio ads on the dangers of sulfide
mining. This provided some balance to Exxon's multi-million dollar
TV disinformation campaign;

*Tens of thousands of  new yard signs, bumperstickers,
and newspaper ads have helped promote education on the issue;

*The Conservation Congress, a hunters' /fishers' assembly advising
the DNR , asked for much more stringent controls on sulfide mining
by a near unanimous vote at its annual spring county hearings;

*Several mining opponents announced plans to run for political office,
including Ed Garvey running  for Governor, with a platform
opposing sulfide mining;

*Several tribes' efforts advanced to preserve their clean air or
water under federal laws, and a statewide poll showed majority
support for tough tribal environmental standards;

*A rally at Chicago's Wisconsin Tourism Center alerted Illinois
tourists to the mining threat to Wisconsin's environment;

*Canoe flotillas, and numerous other rallies, fundraisers, press
conferences,  etc., were held  to protest sulfide mining;

*More Wisconsinites questioned Exxon's economic promises, by
pointing out that high-tech jobs would go to outsiders, mining has
an unstable boom-and-bust record, and mining would risk our
state's $6 billion tourism industry;

*A statewide poll conducted by St. Norbert's College in De Pere
demonstrated that a significant margin of Wisconsin
citizens support the Mining Moratorium Bill;

*A survey completed by the Shopper Stopper (Merrimac)  for
citizens living around the southern section of the Wisconsin
River revealed an overwhelming majority objecting to the
Crandon mine and the proposed sewer pipeline.

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******************************************

ACTION STEPS:
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP IN 1998

*Call your Assembly Representative immediately
(even if you have called before), to support the Moratorium Bill,
SB 3/AB 70, which comes up for a vote in mid-January (If
you don't know your Rep, call the Legislative Hotline
toll-free at 800-362-9472); letters are also extremely effective.
Ask your Rep (toll-free numbers below) to vote for
the bill in its present state, without amendments that would
weaken the bill for Exxon;

*Donate tax-deductible contributions to support our volunteer efforts:
Wolf Watershed Educational Project (WWEP),
c/o Midwest Treaty Network,
731 State Street,
Madison, WI  53703.
Make checks out to "MTN/PC Foundation."

*Stay abreast of events by calling the toll-free Hotline
800-445-8615; call toll-free 888-Sulfide to get yard signs;

*Write  letters to your local newspaper against the
environmental, economic and cultural effects of
sulfide mining;

*Tell the Governor not to link gaming compact renewal
to the tribes' dropping federal environmental standards
(State Capitol, Madison WI 53702; 608-266-1212;
wisgov@mail.state.wi.us).
See http://www.alphacdc.com/treaty/gaming.html
Also write letters to your local paper.

*If you are a tribal member, you can get involved in
educating your community to support tribal sovereignty;

*Use the Internet to post links to our web sites (see below)
and subscribe to StopExxonMine--an e-mail listserv.
(To subscribe, send e-mail "majordomo@earthwins.com"
with message in body "subscribe stopexxonmine".)

*Get involved in the WWEP--our next monthly statewide
meeting is at the U.W.-Stevens Point (west of Hwy 51 just off Hwy 10)
 on Saturday, January 31, 10 am-3 pm.   Location to be announced.

*Join a local group listed below to stay informed and involved on the issue.
Our movement is very decentralized and broad-based, making it
very difficult for Exxon to coopt or defeat.   The Moratorium Bill is only
ONE OF MANY strategies to protect Northern Wisconsin!!!!

THANK YOU!   Let's make 1998 the year that Exxon withdraws from the
Crandon area, and we can begin to see a future for Northern Wisconsin
with its environment, economy, and cultures safe and flourishing.

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***********************************************

EXAMPLES OF GROUPS YOU CAN JOIN OR HELP

Clean Water Action Council,
2220 S. Decker, Green Bay, WI  54302, 414-468-4243;
cwac@execpc.com;  http://www.wsn.org/lakemichigan.html

Committee of Labor Against Sulfide Mining (CLASP),
5019 W. Gillmore, Milwaukee, WI
53219, 414-542-8474; http://www.alphacdc.com/treaty/clasp.html

EarthWINS web network: earthwins@earthwins.com, http://www.earthwins.com/

Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Lakeland Areas (ECCOLA),
Box 537, Minocqua, WI 54548;  715-453-3676/453-8769;
ecowise@newnorth.net; http://www.wsn.org/northcentral.html

Midwest Treaty Network (and Wolf Watershed Education Project),
731 State St., Madison, WI   53703,  Toll-Free Hotline 800-445-8615;
Tel/Fax: 608-246-2256, mtn@igc.apc.org, http://www.alphacdc.com/treaty

Mining Impact Coalition of Wisconsin Inc.  Madison Chapter/Main Office,
P.O. Box 55372,  Madison, WI 53705-9172,  Tel. 888-211-7271 /
Fax: 608-236-9111, micwinc@aol.com, http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/8073/
Milwaukee Chapter, 1001 E. Keefe Ave., Milwaukee, WI
53212, Tel. 414-964 5758 / Fax (call first): 414-421-9462
Northwoods Chapter, Box 679, Shawano, WI 54166,
Tel. 715-524-5998 / Fax 715-524-9958, micnorth@earthwins.com

Northern Thunder, 312 East Madison, Eau Claire, WI  54703; 715-839-7731;
wfantle@execpc.com

Northwoods Alliance, Box 603, Rhinelander, WI  54703;
Toll-free 888-Sulfide; 715-369-2130

Protect Our Wisconsin River (POW'R), P.O. Box 505, Tomahawk, WI 54487,
715-453-5639,    http://www.wsn.org/western.html

Protect Our Wolf River- Shawano County (POW'R-SC) ,
N6725 Balsam Row Road, Shawano,    WI 54166, Tel: 715-526-3426,
powr@earthwins.com, http://www.earthwins.com/powr.html
Wisconsin Resources Protection Council , 210 Avon St. #4, La Crosse, WI  54603,
Tel 608-784-4399; gedicks@mail.uwlax.edu
Forest Co. Chapter, Box 795 Crandon WI  54520; 715-478-2384

Wisconsin Stewardship Network web network: http://www.wsn.org

Wolf River Watershed Alliance, 2610 Log Cabin Dr., White Lake, WI 54491,
715-882-4800

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-----------------------------------------------

b. Candidates state position on the Mining Moratorium Bill

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 11:15:23 -0600
From: Michele Hopp <michele@shopperstopper.com>

Bart Olson, the publisher of the Shopper Stopper, asked
the three candidates for the 42nd Assembly District
Special Election if they would vote for the Mining
Moratorium Bill with no amendments.

Read their answers and comments at this site:
http://www.shopperstopper.com/shopper/crandon/mmb/candidat.htm

Michele
---------------
Michele Hopp
Shopper Stopper, Sauk County News Service
P.O. Box 280, 327 Palisade St., Merrimac, WI 53561
608-493-2291, fax 608-493-2074, e-mail: michele@shopperstopper.com
web site: http:/www.shopperstopper.com

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