Editor:

I say to myself, what were they thinking down in Madison when they passed this mining bill?! That’s just it, they weren’t thinking! Nobody in their right mind would do such a thing to our neighbors. Most of us want to be good neighbors, but not those folks! To dig a hole 2,000 feet deep and four miles across is not being neighborly in my opinion! It borders on sinful! What a horrific thing to do! On top of that, I’m told the dirt from that hole will stretch 22 miles and rival our mountains out west. Our Indian friends and neighbors, the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, deserve better. These folks are being asked to sacrifice a huge thing in their lives to accommodate this monstrosity, which will be just a few short miles upstream. Right in their backyard! Another bummer is the environmental damage that will be caused by the runoff and seepage that will occur to the beautiful lakes and streams that abound in the area. We’re told by the experts that the damage will be minimal, but we already know that’s a falsehood. Mines always destroy and the damage will be permanent, you can count on that! In my estimation, the location of this planned mine is dangerous to the very existence of this tribe and should be stopped!

In conclusion, I’d like to say, are we so desperate in this state for jobs that we are willing to upset the balance of nature and make enemies of our friends to the north? I’m not! The destruction that lies ahead far outweighs the benefits of putting 700 men to work for maybe 20-25 years. The money they make will be peanuts compared to what the mining interests and attorneys get out of this project! Remember, also, the blight that will be an embarrassment to all of us in the state of Wisconsin. This mining project is not something that you and I can take pride in. It is pure folly.

The Chippewas have a battle on their hands, but I’m hopeful the federal laws will prevail and they succeed in stopping this short-sighted project.

Respectfully,

Buck Reed, Rhinelander