History Lesson:
The very same man who drilled multiple test holes along the Menominee
River in Lake Township in 2002 has now applied for a Mineral Lease on 1,640
acres in Holmes Township, Menominee County, Michigan, through his new
company Great Lakes Exploration, Inc. This man’s discovery of minerals in
Lake Township caused a start-up company from Toronto, Canada, named
Aquila Resources, to come into our area with big pipe dreams of high-paying
jobs and wealth for all.

For the past 19 years, Aquila has struggled to obtain the necessary permits
from the State of Michigan and spent $100,000,000, mostly paying themselves
six-digit salaries; and, still, they are struggling to obtain those required
permits. What is even worse, Aquila manipulated the public into believing
their fairytale and accepted millions of dollars for the paper stock from our
friends, families, neighbors, and local citizens. As of today, Aquila stock is
$.05 per share and they continue to seek investors. Aquila was halted by the
“Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada” (IIROC) when
they recently tried to issue a $10,000,000 Appeal from additional investors.

And now, the same man who initiated the Aquila project is attempting to
implement exploratory drilling in Holmes Township. We must STOP this
Mineral Lease grant to Great Lakes Exploration, Inc. Those 1,640 acres of
State land belongs to the people of Michigan for hunting, snowmobiling,
camping, hiking, and simply enjoying the peace and tranquility of the
outdoors.

I believe in “Of the People, By the People, and For the People.”
Please contact the Mineral Leasing Division of Michigan at 517-284-5850.

Or write to the DNR-Minerals Management Section
P.O. Box 30452
Lansing, Michigan 48909

Or email Ken Babcock at babcockk4@michigan.gov
Tell them you strictly oppose this lease application from
Great Lakes Exploration, Inc., and request a Public Hearing!

The deadline for public comments is APRIL 25, 2021.

PLEASE DO IT NOW !!

Dale Burie, President
Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc.

March 24, 2021

For Immediate Release:

A local environmental group was honored this week with an international award for their efforts to protect the Menominee River. The Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the Menominee River safe from the threat of an open pit metallic sulfide mine,  received the 2020 Freshwater Hero Award.  The award, given by Freshwater Future., a non-profit organization based in Petoskey, Michigan, honors and celebrates everyday people who jump into action to solve the most pressing issues facing the Great Lakes. 

The award  features a miniature canoe and is inscribed with the following:

  Fresh Water Hero Award

                  In grateful acknowledgment for your outstanding contributions COALITION TO SAVE THE MENOMINEE and exceptional efforts to ensure the healthy future of our water in the Great Lakes region.

                                Jill M. Ryan, Executive Director 2021

Dale Burie, President of the Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc. issued this statement:

“We are humbled to receive this award from Freshwater Future,”

“They have been one of our many mentors and have stood by us during our mission” stated Burie.

“We accept this award on behalf of all the volunteers, donors, and leaders who have accepted huge responsibilities to help the Coalition forge ahead to protect the Menominee River for the generations to come”. added Dale Burie, President.

Sulfide Mining Basics

Menominee River Fish Passage

Gary Besaw, Menominee Nation

Tim Landwehr, Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co.

Mount Polley Mine Tailings Breach

Brazil Mine Dam collapse 1/27/19

Vale Brazil mine disaster collapse 2015

During the Stay-At-Home pandemic, Lea Jane and Dale Burie of ‘Tater Patch Recording Studio in Wausaukee, Wisconsin, have released their new river awareness song called “Our Great Menominee River, Amen.” Written by Elaine Mayer of Stephenson, Michigan, the song has a strong lyrical message that illustrates the passion of people in Menominee, Marinette, and many other counties who stand firm to protect the beautiful historical legacy of the Menominee River.

Lea Jane wrote the music score, played piano and bass, and sang all the harmonies on the project. Dale supplied the guitar tracks, drums, and the lead vocals. They shared engineering duties and completed the recording session. Dale Burie stated, “It was a labor of love for the preservation of one of our region’s most valuable assets, the Menominee River.”

Everyone is invited to share the song with friends via Facebook, emails, etc., as an encouragement to protect our natural resources. Use of the song is FREE and is available here or on Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc. FB page.

Please donate if your heart is with us!

Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc.
P.O. Box 475
Marinette WI 54143

Thank you.

Our Great Menominee River, Amen

Lyrics

V.1

From the hidden springs of water
In our Upper Michigan,
Wisconsin waters rush to join in
To that sparkling band of water
That’s been there forever.
She’s our great Menominee River, Amen!

CH:

We have vowed to defend her
As her enemies go after
All the treasures that lie deep within.
We will fight to protect her
From those who don’t respect her,
Our great Menominee River, Amen!

V.2

She has carried life within her,
Run the paper mills beside her,
She’s moved big timber down from the hills.
All the tribes and trappers
Have their history within her,
Our great Menominee River, Amen. (CHORUS)

V.3

Those foreign hands will kill her
If we don’t band together.
She doesn’t stand a chance on her own.
There is strength in numbers;
United we can save her,
Our great Menominee River, Amen!

TAG: She’s our great Menominee River, Amen!

END:

Just watch her water flowing.
In the morning sun she’s glowing,
Our great Menominee River, Amen!

Coalition to Save the Menominee River Locations and Dates

Ann Arbor, Michigan (Michigan Theater) on February 28
Michigan Theater
603 E. Liberty St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 734 668 8397

Grand Rapids, Michigan (The Wealthy Theatre) on February 29 (both shows)
The Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone: 616 459 4788 X 130

Chicago, Illinois (Thalia Hall) on March 3
Thalia Hall
1807 S. Allport St
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: 312 526 3851

Madison, Wisconsin (Barrymore Theater) on March 5
Barrymore Theater
2090 Atwood Ave
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608 241 8864

Green Bay, Wisconsin (Meyer Theater) on March 14
Meyer Theater
117 S. Washington St
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301
Phone: 920 433 3333

Lake Forest, Illinois (Gorton Community Center) on April 5
Gorton Community Center
400 E. Illinois Rd.
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Phone: 847 234 6060

BACK FORTY PROJECT – IS IT A DONE DEAL?

NO!

November 23, 2019

NOTE:  AQUILA DOES NOT HAVE ALL NECESSARY BACK FORTY PERMITS.

              As of November 23, 2019, only ONE of FIVE required permits has been both “issued” and deemed “effective,” and that is the NPDES Permit, #1 on the list below.

Definitions:

• Issued – means that a permit has been signed, not actually “Effective.”
• With Conditions – means a permit is signed and tentatively approved, PENDING a long list of substantive conditions that have to be met before mining could begin; and
• Effective – means the permit has met ALL pre-mine construction conditions (if there were any attached) and the permit is fully granted.

1. NPDES Permit: Issued and Effective.  This is the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit, involving water discharge to the Menominee River.

2. Mining Permit 632 Amendment: Amendment (with major changes) to the original Mining Permit 632 was in Public Comment period until  July 23, 2019 & still awaiting final decision by EGLE (formerly MDEQ).

3. Modified Air Quality Permit: Amendment was in Public Comment period until July 23, 2019 & still awaiting final decision by EGLE.

4. Wetland Permit: “Issued” but not “effective” and contains 28 pages, single-spaced typed, of many conditions that would have to be met before it was considered “Effective.”  This Permit is also involved in TWO contested cases against the MDEQ (now EGLE) and TWO federal court cases against the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers.

5. Dam Safety Permit: Still under deliberation by EGLE (formerly MDEQ).

Regarding this Permit:

On 6/20/19, there was an important ruling from Luke Trumble of EGLE. The Project Assessment was not adequate to complete the Review of the project. Much additional information was requested of Aquila.  Also, referenced documents were not provided with the application; EGLE asked for more details on 11 substantive issues.

In response to EGLE’s 8/9/19 request for further information regarding the Dam Safety Permit application, Aquila has had two extensions: 10/3/19 and 11/4/19. On 11/4/19 Aquila requested a further extension until 12/31/19. If EGLE has not received the requested information by 12/31/19, Aquila would be required to submit a NEW application for the Dam Safety Permit.

Mine isn’t done deal