The tribal leaders believe that neither Exxon nor its partner could operate an acid mine that would not pollute or pose any environmental threats. Due to the pollution caused by acid mines in the past (many of which are now Superfund sites, such as Iron Mountain, CA) the environmental safety of the CMC mine has been disputed. The tribes have rejected appeals to meet with CMC, as they believe that talking with them would be participating in their own destruction. The tribe also contends that Exxon is considering at least 10 other mineral deposits for development in the northern Wisconsin area, a number the company does not dispute. Halting the Crandon project, they argue, could prevent the development of other big mines.
Exxon discovered the zinc and copper deposit in Crandon in 1975. In 1986, it temporarily abandoned its plan to open the mine, citing low mineral prices. However, neither the company nor the tribes expected the withdrawal to be final. In 1993, Exxon announced that it had joined with Rio Algom Ltd., a Canadian mining company, to form the Crandon Mining Company to continue pursuing the mining project. In February of 1994, the two companies notified the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that they intended to acquire the 40 permits needed to begin construction. The company has spent millions of dollars on studies and environmental impact statements to prove to the state and the tribe that the mine would be environmentally safe.
However, the Chippewa believe that the mine would ruin a way of life dependent on clean water to provide fish and wild rice. Further, they believe that acid mining is inherently dangerous to the area because the minerals in the proposed mine (zinc, copper, and lead) are sulfides. These minerals are known to have detrimental drainage effects. They form acids in the water, poison fish, and contribute to elevated levels of lead in the water, which could result in lead poisoning of children. Thus, the Chippewas are vehemently against the mine proposal. Joining the Chippewas in opposition are other tribes in the area, such as the Menominee tribe and the Forest County Potawatomi tribe. The Menominee in particular are opposed to the mine because they are located downstream from the proposed tailings location, and thus face environmental threats to their reservation. In addition, some small business owners in the area argue that a project of such great magnitude - with giant pulverizing mills and shafts as deep as 2,800 feet - could wreck a healthy rural community based on forestry, recreation, and light manufacturing.
Another strategy was to spread information about the project on the internet. The Menominee tribe constructed an informative web page on the proposed mine, which included a discussion of the environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural effects of the proposed mine, and of acid mining in general. They also urged people to write their congresspersons, the EPA, Wisconsin DNR, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to voice their opposition to the mine.
Currently, the Menominee and the other affected tribes (including the Sokaogon Chippewa and Forest County Potawatomi) are working with these regulatory agencies, as well as with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, primarily on the technical aspects of the mine. In addition, the tribes have been using federal and private grants and casino revenue to file lawsuits and hire experts to evaluate the mine. They have also used information on past acid mines as evidence of the possible environmental and socioeconomic consequences that may ensue.
Crandon Mining Company has also been utilizing their own strategies. For one, they have been mobilizing political and business support for the construction of the mine. The CMC has also claimed that their studies on the impacts of the mine over the last few years has shown that the proposed mine will pose no major threats to the area or to residents. Further, they claim that the communities will receive economic benefits from the mine. They have been attempting to show these positive effects in their EIS's that they have prepared for the EPA and WDNR.
Acid Mines - Mines where the majority of minerals are sulfides (as opposed to iron mines). These minerals, when exposed to water or air during the mining process, may produce sulfuric acids and other dangerous poisons.
Tailings - Waste rock from mines; rock that is left over after the desired ore is mined.
Wild Rice - A source of sustenance for the tribes. It is a traditional staple item in their diet, and it is often grown and harvested in water.
Groundwater Drawdown - A drop in water levels of lakes and streams caused by the pumping of groundwater from a mine.
Closure and Reclamation - When a mining operation is complete, the mine closes (closure). The mine may then go through a restoration process (reclamation) to restore the area to stable conditions.
Median Income - The average income of the whole community.
Per Capita Income - The average personal or individual income.
Superfund - also known as CERCLA. This act, passed in 1980, is "to provide for liability, compensation, cleanup, and emergency response for hazardous substances released into the environment and the cleanup of inactive hazardous waste disposal sites" (preamble). Its goal is to clean up all of the hazardous waste sites in the country.
Sulfides - minerals that contain sulfur.
Toxics Minerals contained in Acid Mines and their drainage effects -
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Bill Tans
(608) 266-3524
State Dedicated Phone Line: (608) 267-7534
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contact: Dave Ballman
(612) 290-5373
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
Contact: Doug Cox, Water Resource Technician
(715) 799-4937
Web site: http://www.menominee.com/a-one.mccombs/nomine.html#top
Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Contact: John Griffin
(715) 478-7604
Forest County Potawatomi Community
Contact: Christine Hansen
(715) 478-7209
Stockbridge-Munsee Community
Contact: Greg Bunker
(715) 793-4363
Crandon Mining Company
Contact: Don Moe
(715) 365-1453
Web site: http://www.crandonmine.com
Indigenous Environmental Network
Not directly related to the Crandon Mine Project, but is a great source for other Native American Environmental issues.
Web site: http://oraibi.alphacdc.com/ien/