Menominee Nation Leader Asks Tribes For Help Fighting Back Forty Mine

The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is asking Native American tribes across the United States for help in its fight against a proposed mine near Marinette.

The Back Forty Project, led by Toronto-based company Aquila Resources, would mine gold, zinc and other metals in an area near the Menominee River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Many environmental and tribal groups have expressed concerns over the environmental implications of the proposed mine site being so close to key waterways.

Menominee Nation Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw told the National Congress of American Indians convention in Milwaukee on Wednesday, that the federal government is delegating to state regulators the review of a wetlands permit for the site.

Besaw said Michigan could ignore the tribe’s concerns about water pollution, setting a bad precedent.

“This delegation of authority, without federal treaty and trust responsibility concept, is dangerous,” Besaw said.

Besaw continued saying the Trump administration is looking at handing over regulatory oversight on other issues, like healthcare, to the states.

He urged tribal leaders to stick together and be pro-active, speaking up when necessary..

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently told WPR it’s reviewing the Menominee’s request for formal input on the wetland permit for the Back Forty mine.