We here in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota are seemingly always under threats of open pit mining with a large one on the shores of Menominee River. The Menominee is a northern border sharing river with a world class smallmouth fishery. The most disturbing part of this mine is the location of the tailing pond less that 150 feet away from the rivers edge. Nothern Minnesota narrowly escaped having a large mine near and in “the Boundary Waters”. This was huge victory in the name of conservation.

While mining will always be part of our lives, which is due to our excessive love affair with everything electronic, the mentality of “mines are fine as long as they aren’t in my backyard” is over. Everyone has to claim responsibility for the damage created by them. Everyone who is reading this is using some sort of electronic device whose components had to be mined to make them. Mines are not going to go away, but we can continue work towards creating better mine mangement practices and holding those responsible for enforcing those practices to a higher standard. Companies and corporations who blatantly ignore them need to face serious consequeces instead of the little hand slaps they currently receive.

Maybe I am old school but I still use pen and paper when I can. Electronics and every thing they do can make our life easier and faster, but it comes with a great price. That price is being paid for by our lands and eco-systems. I challenge everyone to take the time to uderstand how your lives have been changed by these mines and the footprint you leave behind. Maybe write a letter instead of sending an email. The US Post Office could use a little more business.

Tight Lines,  Vinny