Dear petition signers,
Thank you for your solidarity and ongoing engagement in the battle to protect these precious lands and waters. Here are a few quick updates from the campaign, including two steps you can take today!
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ACTION ALERT #1: On September 26th, the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners approved a letter to the Michigan Senate requesting the reintroduction of the $50 million taxpayer-funded grant to Copperwood. So it’s time for us to respond proactively with a few letters of our own!
You’ll find all the information you need to reach out to Senator Sarah Anthony here. Our friends at Freshwater Future have also helped us create this Fast Action form, so you can send a detailed letter to Senator Anthony in just five minutes (when possible, we recommend sending your own letter, but this form is a great option also).
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ACTION ALERT #2: At long last, the Copperwood Air Quality permit is up for renewal. The public comment period is already open, and EGLE — Michigan’s environmental regulatory agency — is receiving public comments until November 13th. You can also deliver spoken comments at the virtual public hearing on October 30th (Halloween Party, anyone?). You can find all the information you need to craft your comments here.
Imagine the experience of breathing pristine oxygen filtered by old growth conifer trees, accompanied by the moist, invigorating scent of the Presque Isle River and Lake Superior. Does this sound like an appropriate setting for formaldehyde, benzene, cobalt, manganese, arsenic, and other toxic emissions, all of which would travel uncontrollably on the wind from the Copperwood Mine Site?
We will also be hosting a Zoom Town Hall in the days before the Hearing for those who want to participate in brainstorming and collective comment crafting. You can register here. - Finally, you can find a full write-up and photos of the Gichigaming Water Walk at Weave News. This was a wonderful event, sure to cast ripples throughout all of our hearts for some time. We’d like to extend a special thanks to our three principle organizers, Edith Leoso (Bad River), Siobhan Marks (Lac Courte Oreilles), and Guy Reiter (Menominee), without whom the ceremony would not have been possible.
Thank you everyone!
Tom and the ProtectThePorkies team