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Mining Issues

Mining Issues

Mining of minerals, sand and gravel in proximity to wetland systems poses serious and lasting threats to the health of these important natural resources.  Such threats include erosion from mining sites and roads, spill and leakage of toxic byproducts of the mining process and use of clean water to support mining processes.  The adverse effects of these impacts of mining degrade water quality, silt over stream beds and spawning sites, alter habitat for aquatic insects, enable invasive species and ultimately reduce fishery biodiversity and health.

Mining activities generally are still regulated under the General Mining Act of 1872.  So, it is especially important that we monitor permit applications for proposed mines that may be located near sensitive habitats supporting fish and wildlife.


 

FFI's Actions

  • 3/9/2023 – Letter to Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Letter of “public comment” regarding an 8,000-acre sand mine operation near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida. 
     
  • 8/16/2022 – Letter to Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies - Urging establishment of an Energy Working Group with the express purpose of focusing on solar, mining and energy development land management issues that have potential to adversely affect fish, wildlife and their habitats. 
     
  • 8/09/2022 – Letter to US Senators Heinrich and Risch – Letter supporting Senate Bill 3571, the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2022
     
  • 4/21/20 - Menominee River and Aquila Mine - Signed onto a letter to the Wisconsin DNR and Michigan Department of Environment and Great Lakes regarding the delisting on the Menominee River in Michgan's Upper Peninsula.
     
  • 10/28/19 - GLC-Orion Aquila Mine Issue - Orion letter 5-1 (representatives from GLC and UMC signed)
     
  • 10/12/19 - Aquila/Back Forty Mine - FFI signed onto a letter to investors in the Aquila/Back Forty Mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula citing the many deficiencies in the mining plan.

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