Jaeger Opposed to Sulfide Mining in Wisconsin Print
Commentary
Written by Karl Jaeger, Jaeger For Wisconsin   
Wednesday, 13 January 2021 10:35

metallic-sulfide-mining-runoffAssembly District 89 candidate doesn't want Back 40 Mine in Menominee County or any sulfide mining to endanger our clean water, land, and air.


MARINETTE, WI - I am completely opposed to the Back 40 Mine in Menominee County, Michigan and all sulfide mining in Wisconsin. Protecting our precious rivers and lakes should be a top priority for the state Legislature.

With the 2017 Act 134, the Republican-led Legislature repealed Wisconsin’s “Prove It First” metallic sulfide mining law and further gutted environmental protections for the benefit of mining companies, opening the flood gates for metallic sulfide mining in Wisconsin.

karl-jaegerWhen elected, I will introduce and support legislation to repeal Act 134 and reinstate stronger environmental protections for metallic sulfide mining in Wisconsin.

lake-michigan_5Assembly District 89 has approximately 50 miles of shoreline on the Bay of Green Bay, from the City of Marinette to the Village of Howard—any pollution that finds its way into the Menominee River jeopardizes the environment and residents of all three counties that make up District 89.

We heard some good news for our neighbors in Upper Michigan and our shared Menominee River earlier this week, when a judge denied Aquila Resources’ wetlands permit, effectively halting the Back 40 Mine.

Unfortunately, Aquila has already indicated that they will appeal this decision, and another company, Badger Minerals, has been doing exploratory drilling right here in northern Wisconsin—all of which further reinforces that we need to reinstate Wisconsin’s “Prove it First” mining safety law as soon as possible to prevent future sulfide mines from contaminating our state.

We need our elected leaders to be stewards of our environment—clean water, land, and air are essential to our economy, health, and way of life in Wisconsin. I previously earned the endorsement of the Sierra Club, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, and Citizen Action for my commitment to protecting our environment.

I hope I can earn your endorsement on April 6, 2021.

Karl Jaeger
Candidate, Wisconsin Assembly District 89