Uppity Wisconsin
Making Wisconsin Progressive Again
Comments Needed on the Flambeau Mine
Fri, 04/13/2007 - 2:17pm | Steve Hanson
Thanks to Tom Wilson, Borges, and Kicktime for background and text for this article.
Many of you may be aware of the hard-fought battle over the Flambeau Mine near Ladysmith involving the late and missed Roscoe Churchill and many others. Although the fight to keep the mine from being created was lost, this is (like all mine stories) one that will never quite go away.
There is background on the reclamation from DNR perspective here and the La Crosse Trib has an article here that includes quotes from Wilson.
1995 photo
2000 photo--images from here. and a flash video of before/during mining/after is here.
Flambeau Mining is currently asking the state DNR to issue a Certificate of Completion on the mine, essentially claiming that the mine is fully reclaimed.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is taking public comments on its decision to grant the Flambeau Mining Company - wholly owned by Kennecott - wholly owned by Rio Tinto, a Certificate of Completion for the Flambeau Mine near Ladysmith, Wisconsin.
However, Kennecott's work to reclaim the mine is far from complete. Despite the convincing arguments on their web site , the company admits that there is still geochemical activity (turning rock to acid and leaching heavy minerals) in the backfilled open pit. Pollution is already leaking into tributaries feeding the Flambeau River, less than 100 yards from the pit. Since Kennecott is using this project as an example in its public relations campaigns to prove they can mine safely, it is critical that this process is not declared "a success" as long as pollution is occurring.
A public meeting will be held on April 17, 2007 in Ladysmith Wisconsin that everyone is encouraged to attend, but if you can, please, submit your own comment letter by April 16th.
Mr. Fauble of the DNR would like comments submitted only by paper mail to this address:
Philip Fauble, P.G.
Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
