Letter to Assembly Members

January 23, 2012

TO:  Wisconsin Members of the Assembly

As you prepare to take up AB 426, we write to urge you to oppose this bill.  After working for over a year to advocate for passage of the Great Lakes Compact and the preservation of our fresh water system, we are deeply concerned about the impact of the proposed mining bill.   As we have studied this project we find it will do great environmental harm on the wetlands.  Furthermore, the use of millions of gallons of fresh water as part of the mining process, jeopardizes not only the quality, but the availability for other necessary uses, including our drinking water supply.

While arguments about providing jobs may be enticing, this initiative has to be balanced against environmental damage that is much more greatly disproportionate than the job gain it may afford.  Also, we believe the economic gain for corporations involved, some out of state, is not a compelling reason to squander our natural resources and jeopardize human safety.  We wonder about the level of accountability and opportunity for citizen input as this bill is so quickly processed for vote.

We urge you to oppose this bill and preserve the quality of life in Wisconsin.

Sincerely,

Racine Dominican Earth Committee – 30 members

S. Paula Marie Jarosz, Chairperson