EarthWINS Daily #3.94
2/7/98

Contents

1. WASHINGTON: Mining Action Alert - Save Buckhorn Mountain
2. CALIFORNIA: An End to the California Gold Rush?
3. WISCONSIN: Mining Moratorium & About Rio Algom's proposed Wolf River Mine
  a. Menominee Nation Applauds Landslide Vote for Mining Moratorium, but
Remains Cautious and Vigilant
  b. Overview from "WISCONSIN'S DECISION FOR ETERNITY: A Closer Look at the
Proposed Crandon Mine and its Potential Environmental Impacts"
  c. Meyer on mining moratorium bill
4. FINAL NOTICE, Midwest Declining Amphibians Conference

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

1. WASHINGTON: Mining Action Alert - Save Buckhorn Mountain

February 6, 1998
Faxed from Mineral Policy Center
1612 K. St. NW
Washington, DC  20006
Ph: 202-887-1872
FAX: 202-887-1875
mpc-us@msn.com
www.mineralpolicy.org

Immediate Action Needed

The Washingto Department of Ecology will soon decide whether to allow
Battle Mountain Gold to mine Buckhorn Mountain. Your comments are needed
now to insure the state knows that more people than just the mining
industry are interested in its decision, and that the state is required to
comply with the Clean Water Act.

The Threat to Buckhorn Mountain

Battle Mountain Gold Co. (BMG) has proposed the first large scale open-pit,
cyanide heap-leach mine in Washington state. BMG's plans to to blast the
top off Buckhorn Mountain, crush it up, mix the powdered waste rock with
cyanide to leach out the microscopic particles of gold, and dump 9 million
tons of tailings on top of Marias Creek behind and 250 foot high earthen
dam and 100 million tons of waste rock on the hillside. If permitted it
would have potentially irreversible environmental impacts.

Who Would Be Affected?

Citizens are concerned that the long term economic health of north-central
Washington State is integrally connected to environmental quality that
would inevitably suffer from BMG's proposal. This mine would significantly
and permanently impact the area's land and water resources. This proposal
is opposed by virtually the entire Washington State conservation community.
However, recent statements of Tom Fitzsimmons, the Director of the state
Department of Ecology (DOE), indicate that he believes this project should
go forward. This is not in the public interest.

Help Local Citizens Enforce the Clean Water Act

BMG now wants to convince DOE that the pit lake that would form in the 900
ft. crater after mining would not be subject to a Clean Water Act section
401 water quality permit because the water would not be subject to federal
jurisdiction. This is patently wrong. It is DOE's duty to protect all the
waters for the public interest according to the Clean Water Act. The
Department has recently gone to the US Supreme Court to defend the State's
right to protect/abuse our waters. Contamination in the pit lake is
predicted to exceed water quality standards. DOE can and should deny BMG
water quality certification and enforce the Clean Water Act.

What can you do?

Write letters....call....email

*  Please ask the Governor to instruct his administration to deny BMG's
water quality certification as the technical facts, federal laws, state
laws, and sould public policy require.

*  Explain to Mr. Fitzsimmons that BMG's large open pit mine is not wise
management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future
generations.

*  Remind Mr. Fitzsimmons that the Department of Ecology's mission is to
protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment.

Governor Gary Locke
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
360-902-4111
governor.locke@governor.wa.gov

Tom Fitzsimmons, Director
Department of Ecology
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA  98504-7600
360-407-7001
tfit461@ecy.wa.gov

For more information, contact:

David Kliegman
Okanogan Highlands Alliance
509-485-3361
kliegoha@televar.com
www.televar.com/~kliegoha

Back to top

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

2. CALIFORNIA: An End to the California Gold Rush?

February 6, 1998
Faxed from Mineral Policy Center
1612 K. St. NW
Washington, DC  20006
Ph: 202-887-1872
FAX: 202-887-1875
mpc-us@msn.com
www.mineralpolicy.org

Contacts: Susan Brackett, 202-887-1872
Pauline Owl, Quechan Cultural Committee, 760-572-0213
Edie Harmon, Sierra Club Volunteer, 619-299-1746

Opposition Mounts to Proposed Gold Mine as 1872 Mining Law Goes
Head-to-Head wit Cultural, Environmental, and Fiscal Values

This weekend, the Quechan Indian Nation has called public hearings for
Glamis Corporation's proposed Imperial Project, an open pit, cyanide
heap-leach gold mine in Imperial County, California. The proposed site is
situated on 1,571 acres of unpatented public lands, managed by the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) in a pristine area of the California Desert. If
approved, the mine would have serious impacts on local environmental,
cultural, and historical resources.

The site is valued by the Quechan Indians as a sacred religious area. The
proposed plan to mine the area would significantly impede the Quechans'
ability to express and exercise their religious beliefs, a right granted to
them by the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. Senator Barbara Boxer
(D-CA), in a January 27 letter to BLM Director Pat Shea, expressed adamant
opposition to the project and requested that Director Shea do everything in
his power to keep the project from moving forward.

The project would have serious environmental impacts on an area of public
land designated by the BLM as a limited use area and a "National Scenic
Byway." Such distinctions are designed to give the area an elevated level
of protection, just below that afforded to designated wilderness lands.
Specifically, the California Desert Protection Plan dictates that the
protection of sensitive natural, scenic, ecological, and cultural values be
given priority in this area and that limitations be placed on other uses
which may conflict with such values.

As Stephan D'Esposito, president of Mineral Policy Center, explained, "The
California Gold Rush is over -- trading public land for minute quantities
of gold no longer makes environmental, fiscal, or cultural sense." He
continued, "US taxpayers nationwide will be outraged when they learn that
the BLM is considering giving away this invaluable public asset. After all,
gold is no longer a strategic mineral; over 80% of gold currently consumed
is used for the production of gold. The issues at hand clearly demonstrate
the inadequacy of the outdated 1872 Mining Law.

It's time to reform the 1872 Mining Law! Mineral Policy Center is the
leading environmental organization dedicated to addressing the
environmental problems caused by hardrock mining.

Back to top

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

3. WISCONSIN: Mining Moratorium & About Rio Algom's proposed Wolf River Mine

a. Menominee Nation Applauds Landslide Vote for Mining Moratorium, but
Remains Cautious and Vigilant

from http://www.menominee.com/nomining/pr020498.html

February 4, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ken Fish, Director - 715-799-5620

In regards to the approval of SB3, Menominee Tribal Chairman Apesanahkwat
said, "Although it has been a long trail, the Mining Moratorium has finally
been passed by both Houses of the State Legislature! We are glad the
people's voice is finally being heard!"

The Mining Moratorium Bill was initiated in 1995. Since then, the bill has
gone through the gauntlet of politics. After some Assembly amendments
clarified the bill and others created loopholes, the Mining Moratorium Bill
(SB3) went before the Senate yesterday. The Senate added strength to the
bill with their own amendment. SB3 as amended by the Assembly and the
Senate has now been passed by the Assembly. Now it will be sent to the
Governor's desk for his signature. Will he sign it and if he does when?

In its original form, SB3 requires a sulfide mine to have operated for ten
years and been closed for ten years without the pollution of ground or
surface water. "Pollution" was defined as "degradation that results in any
violation of any environmental law." This provision was altered by the
Assembly through Amendment 4, to define "pollution" as that which places a
mining company in legal proceedings or stipulated remedies. This amendment
was passed by the Assembly on January 22, 1998.

Then on February 3, the Senate added their own amendment. This amendment
says that the DNR must utilize relevant data from groundwater or surface
water monitoring to determine if a "mining operation has not caused
significant environmental pollution from acid drainage at the tailings site
or at the mine site or from the release of heavy metals." The Amendment was
approved by a vote of 27-5 in the Senate.

The Senate Amendment was received by the Assembly today and concurred with
by a vote of 90 to 7. The Assembly then messaged their action to the
Senate. Now the bill will proceed to the Governor's desk.

"Although the Menominee are very pleased, we must remain cautious and
vigilant. Should the Governor sign the bill, it will be up to the DNR to
establish determinate rules that pertain to SB3. The coaltion supporting
SB3 has accomplished 75% of the Mining Moratorium's original intent. We
must keep going. This is not the end of the trail!" said Apesanahkwat.

Back to top

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

b. Overview from "WISCONSIN'S DECISION FOR ETERNITY: A Closer Look at the
Proposed Crandon Mine and its Potential Environmental Impacts"

February 4, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ken Fish, Director - 715-799-5620
From: http://www.menominee.com/nomining/position.html

[mining-exchange list-owner note: This report was published just before
Exxon sold its interest to Rio Algom, making Rio Algom Ltd. the sole owner
of Crandon Mining Company, renamed the Nicolet Minerals Company.]

Crandon Mining Company (CMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon and Rio
Algom, wants to extract 55 million tons of zinc, copper, lead, silver and
gold from a sulfide ore body located in the Town of Nashville, in Forest
County. The proposed operation would generate approximately 44 million tons
of tailings, crushed rock and water treatment sludge. Half of the waste
will be backfilled into the mine itself WITHOUT any liners or other control
technologies, while the other half will be permanently stored in an
aboveground tailings landfill covering 365 acres and reaching 90 feet in
thickness. The proposed mine site would be situated in the Wolf River
watershed at the headwaters of the mighty Wolf River. The Wolf River is a
223
mile long pristine river designated by the State of Wisconsin as an
Outstanding Resource Water and is the State's largest whitewater trout
stream.

The River begins as a small stream in Northeastern Wisconsin about 25 miles
south of the Michigan border, gathers volume at Pine Lake and flows
southerly to Lake Winnebago. The river flows through Post Lake and borders
the Nicolet National Forest before passing into the Menominee Indian
Reservation. That portion of the Wolf River, which traverses the entire
width of the Menominee Indian Reservation (approximately 27 river miles),
is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.

The Menominee people's use of the Wolf River from Post Lake to Lake
Winnebago is documented in prehistoric, ethnographic and historic sources
and that segment of the river which passes through the Menominee
reservation has been occupied by the Menominee for 8000 years. The Wolf
River has been and continues to be a highly significant social, cultural
and economic feature of the Menominee reservation. Historically, the Wolf
River has provided the necessary resources for Menominee habitation and
subsistence activities, as well as providing a transportation corridor for
the movement and settlement of people, the fur trade, logging and now
recreational activities. The Menominee people have been born, have lived
and have died along the banks of the Wolf River since the time of their
creation, and their identity is inseparable from
the legends, sites and resources of the river.

Exxon originally announced its mineral find at the Crandon deposit in 1976.
The company filed its first mine permit application in 1981, which was
later withdrawn in 1986. In 1992, Exxon returned to Wisconsin with partner
Phelps Dodge. However, Phelps Dodge later withdrew from its partnership
with Exxon. In November 1993, Exxon along with its new partner Rio Algom,
formed the wholly owned Crandon Mining Company. In 1994, the company
resubmitted an application to mine the Crandon mineral deposit. Since
Exxon's original application was submitted, several highly questionable
circumstances and events have plagued the mine permitting process and the
intensity has imposed enormous burdens on the citizens and resources of
Wisconsin. On-going objections and doubts raised about key technical,
political, legal and
socioeconomic components of the project have caused widespread apprehension
about the State's ability to objectively and effectively assess the
proposed mine.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of
Engineers have in essence, been reviewing the proposed Crandon Mine project
for eight years (cumulatively), since the original application was
submitted in 1981. Rather than working on one comprehensive environmental
impact statement, the
DNR and Army Corps of Engineers are each developing separate documents.
Despite such a lengthy timeframe, Crandon Mining Company has not been able
to adequately predict the environmental impacts of its proposed mine and
waste facility, to the satisfaction of state or federal regulators, the
scientific
community or the citizens of Wisconsin.

The technology chosen by CMC to extract minerals from deep within the earth
and to pump the water out of the underground mine, is not new. Neither is
its ability to transport the ore by rail, although the shipment of
8,000-13,000 tons of chemicals and fuels to the mine site annually does
pose threats to communities throughout Wisconsin. However, there are
several key components of the Crandon Mine Project, which have not been
adequately addressed and which are the focus of this paper.

1.it is unclear exactly what effect mine dewatering will have on the highly
complex Wolf River watershed, as the underground mine pulls water out of
the Wolf River basin for several square miles;

2.the technology, to be used to permanently contain the mine waste above
ground, from air and water, has not been proven for an extended time
period, numerous cases exist which document the leakage of liners, failure
of the top cover has not been modeled and 22 million tons of mine waste
will be backfilled into the mine without any liners or other control
technologies;

3. existing mine regulations are being manipulated, revised and changed to
accommodate the needs of Crandon Mining Company, while at the same time,
the permitting process is being influenced by a pro-mining Governor and his
administration.

The number of unanswered questions and the level of inconsistencies
involved in the Crandon Mine project's data, models and predictions, have
put ALL citizens of Wisconsin in a precarious situation. To date, neither
State nor Federal regulators have been able to adequately or correctly
determine the effects of the proposed mine on the public's health, safety,
water rights or environment. Instead, after eight years of review and
taxpayers' resources, regulators continue to struggle with data that is
dangerously lacking in
technical stability, subject to chance and unknown conditions and in many
instances based upon uncertain or unproven premises. Yet, Crandon Mining
Company is only one of many corporations, who are stalking Wisconsin's
mineral resources. In 1996 alone, some "twenty-one (21) acquired lands
prospecting permits for hardrock ore bodies" were in effect in the State of
Wisconsin, covering over 7,441 acres of Wisconsin lands. As a consequence,
the future of Wisconsin's environmental quality may hinge on the precedents
set by the Crandon Mine project. Currently, Wisconsin's economy is strong
and growing by way of its tourism and recreation industry. Is Wisconsin
willing to sacrifice its environment for short term economics? The
decisions made today are surely "Wisconsin's Decision for Eternity."

If you would like a complete copy of "WISCONSIN'S DECISION FOR ETERNITY: A
Closer Look at the Proposed Crandon Mine and its Potential Environmental
Impacts," please email <nomining@mail.wiscnet.net> and I will email you a
copy. What you see is only the overview of the report.

Back to top

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

c. Meyer on mining moratorium bill

Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 06:17:32 -0500
From: Will  Fantle <wfantle@mail.execpc.com>
Sender: owner-wisc-eco@igc.apc.org

Wisconsin Public Television's Weekend Edition had an interview last night
with George Meyer (the program is aired again on Sunday's, I believe at 11
am).  They pressed him hard on why there was even the need for the bill if
the DNR was doing its job.

But of most interest was Meyer's discussion about how the DNR will prepare
administrative rules (should the guv sign the bill as Meyer expects) that
will define how the provisions of the legislation are carried out by the
agency.  This means that we will have to be alert to what these rules are
and contain when the agency circulates them for public comment.  The battle
will likely continue as forces will certainly be at work to weaken the
bill's intent.

- wf
Will Fantle
wfantle@execpc.com

Back to top

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

4. FINAL NOTICE, Midwest Declining Amphibians Conference

Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 11:12:14 -0600
From: Gary Casper <gsc@uwm.edu>
Sender: owner-wisc-eco@igc.apc.org

MIDWEST DECLINING AMPHIBIANS CONFERENCE
March 20-21, 1998
Milwaukee Public Museum
http://www.mpm.edu/collect/vertzo/herp/Daptf/Midwest.html

DEADLINE for abstracts is Feb 20. While registration will be available at
the door, if the hall fills up (it nearly did last time), walk-in
registration will close. So please pre-register as soon as possible.
Abstracts are being made available online.

VENDORS: a vendor room is available, see form below. We had 300 biologists
at the last conference.

AUCTION items are sought. Please contact me to donate items.

REGISTRATION (print this form)
send to Gary Casper, Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI
53233
Make checks payable to Milwaukee Public Museum.
Questions? Contact Gary Casper at 414-278-2766 or gsc@mpm.edu

Registration fees:
regular: $20 X ___ # attending = ________
student: $12 X ___ # attending = ________

Subtotal _______

Friday Banquet: dinner, guest speaker, auction, cash bar and live music:
$28 X ___ # meals = ______ specify: chicken ___ beef ___ vegetarian ______
Subtotal _______

Vendor tables (8 foot length): $15/table, plus donation to the auction
(vendor room is secured overnight)
Subtotal _______

Grand Total $ _______

Name ____________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________

Phone _______________________

E-mail ____________________________________________

CALL FOR PAPERS: There will be three paper sessions. Speakers are invited
to present on any amphibian species of the region, regardless of where the
research took place. Papers on techniques applicable to the region are also
sought. Authors should choose an appropriate paper session, and send one
page abstracts (preferably by e-mail) to the session coordinators. Include
with your abstract a title, author names, presentor name, address, phone
and e-mail.

PAPER SESSIONS AND COORDINATORS:
Life History, Research & Management: This session covers basic biology,
research techniques, and management of amphibians. Papers addressing life
history, biology, recovery efforts, listing and regulatory efforts, and
introduced species are appropriate. Session coordinator: Christopher A.
Phillips, Illinois Natural History Survey Center For Biodiversity, 607 East
Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820; voice (217)244-7077; fax (217)333-4949;
E-mail chrisp@mail.inhs.uiuc.edu

Population Trends, Monitoring & Inventory: This session covers censussing,
inventory, surveys, population assessments, and papers dealing with
quantifying amphibian populations and trends. Reports from regional survey
coordinators are especially welcome. Session coordinator: Gary S Casper,
Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233; voice
(414)278-2766; fax (414)278-6100; E-mail gsc@mpm.edu

Malformities and Disease: This session will deal with amphibian
malformities, disease, and health. Papers that address causes and
techniques for assessing malformities, descriptions of malformities,
disease and parasites, and chemical contaminant issues are appropriate.
Session coordinator: Michael J Lannoo, Department of Anatomy, Muncie Center
for Medical Attention, Rm 209 Maria Bingham, Ball State University, Muncie,
IN 47306-0230; voice (765)285-1050; fax (765)285-1059; E-mail
00mjlannoo@bsu.edu

----------------------
This is a Joint Meeting of the Great Lakes & Central Division Working Groups
of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force

WHEN: Friday & Saturday, March 20 & 21, 1998

WHERE: Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Directions to the museum and Milwaukee area maps are available on the web
site. If you don't have access, e-mail me at gsc.mpm.edu.

WHAT: This two day conference will focus on amphibian biology,
malformations, and conservation in the Midwest. This is a joint meeting of
the Great Lakes and Central Division Working Groups, which encompass the
states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois,
Indiana, and Ohio.

TENTATIVE AGENDA
Friday, March 20
8-10 AM - BUSINESS MEETING [Gromme Lecture Hall, 1st floor], working group
chairs, US DAPTF chair, and state coordinators
10 AM - WELCOMING ADDRESS: William Moynihan, Ph.D., President, CEO,
Milwaukee Public Museum
10:05-noon - PAPER SESSION I [Gromme Lecture Hall, 1st floor], Life
history, research and management
Noon-1:30 PM - lunch
1:30-5:30 PM - PAPER SESSION II [Gromme Lecture Hall, 1st floor]
1:30-4 PM - Life history, research and management
4-5:30 PM - Populations trends, monitoring and inventory
6 PM-midnight - BANQUET DINNER [Uihlein Hall, 2nd floor]
6-8 PM  - dinner
8 PM - GUEST SPEAKER: Allen Blake Sheldon Nature Photography. A slide
presentation covering Midwest amphibians. Allenís photos have been featured
in many publications, including those by the National Wildlife Federation,
Field & Stream, National Geographic, National Audubon Society, Minnesota
Volunteer, and Wisconsin Trails.
8:30 PM - auction
9 PM-midnight - Hopping Live Entertainment by the Casper Blues Band

Saturday, March 21
9 AM-noon - PAPER SESSION III [Gromme Lecture Hall, 1st floor], Populations
trends, monitoring and inventory
Noon-1:30 PM - lunch
1:30-5 PM - PAPER SESSION IV [Gromme Lecture Hall, 1st floor], Malformities
and Disease
5-5:30 PM - Wrap Up Report from US DAPTF Coordinator

All Day Friday & Saturday, March 20-21
Vendor displays [East AIS Bubble, 1st floor]
Museum Stores, Exhibits, Imax Theater, Discovery World.

-----------------------------------------------------
Gary S. Casper
    http://www.mpm.edu/collect/garyc.html
Wisconsin Herpetology Homepage
    http://www.mpm.edu/collect/vertzo/herp/atlas/welcome.html
-----------------------------------------------------
please direct correspondance for Gary S. Casper to:
Vertebrate Zoology Section, Milwaukee Public Museum
800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53233
voice (414)278-2766   fax (414)278-6100   E-mail gsc@uwm.edu

Back to top

Disclaimer

EarthWINS Daily is a project of EarthWINS.

** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, material in this issue of EarthWINS Daily is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. **

The articles in EarthWINS Daily are PHOTOCOPIES for personal informational purposes--please seek reprint permission directly from the source listed. You are encouraged to utilize this information for personal campaign use; including writing letters, organizing campaigns and forwarding. All efforts are made to provide accurate, timely pieces; though ultimate responsibility for verifying all information rests with the reader.

If you distribute information contained in EarthWINS Daily, please:

(1) Copy the information in its exact form,
(2) Cite the author, publisher, and date of the information.
(3) Include this subscription information for EarthWINS Daily - 

To subscribe to EarthWINS Daily send an email to 
EarthWINS-Daily-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Subscribe to EarthWINS_Daily

EarthWINS P O Box 573 Shawano, WI 54166 Ph: 715-524-5998 FAX (call first): 715-524-9958 EarthWINS-Daily@earthwins.com www.earthwins.com

Please sign my guestbook

Back to top