After dedicating approximately five years of our lives to the struggle to stop the proposed ‘Taconite’ mine in Northern Wisconsin, and keep the Penokee Hills therein wild, myself and I’m sure many others are elated to hear that Gogebic Taconite (G-TAC) is closing their office in Hurley, Wisconsin; subsequently, they are withdrawing their ‘forces’ from the Penokee Hills. Due to insurmountable numbers of wetlands G-TAC has no economic desire to ‘mitigate post proposed-destruction, they are seemingly disengaging from the project for now…. As a botanist and participant of plant surveys conducted within the Bad River Watershed and Penokee Hills area, along with several others, the power of plants and their surrounding ecosystems astounds me! In conjunction with direct action and grassroots organizing, the mine proposal is at least temporarily stopped—for a good deal of years! My spirits are rejuvenated in seeing that people can really make a difference. We must stay vigilant and never stop fighting; striving and preparing to be more on the offensive is always a good plan.The Penokees are not truly saved from the threats of industrial resource extraction, just like anywhere, until they are intentionally set aside for something other than slated destruction (whether it be mining, logging, etc.), or permanently ‘looked after’ by some kind of protectors/Ogichida, etc.
Continue reading Krow’s Response to G-TAC’s ‘Withdrawal” (From Behind Bars in Iron Cty Jail) →