"Wisconsin Tribe Files Lawsuit Over Mine Permitting On Sacred Land"

"The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin alleges the feds have neglected their duty to oversee wetland permitting for controversial Michigan mine."

"The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin today filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claiming the agencies have failed to take 'primary responsibility' for wetland permitting on a controversial proposed open pit mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The lawsuit is the latest and most aggressive effort by the tribe to prevent the Back Forty Mine—a proposed 83-acre open pit gold, zinc and copper mine in the southwestern corner of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The mine has been weaving through the state's permitting process for years despite opposition from the Menominee and other regional tribes, as well as local residents and environmental groups.

Environmental Health News highlighted the Menominee's fight in the 2016 series 'Sacred Water,' a national look at how culturally significant water resources get sullied, destroyed and defaced by activities often happening beyond Native Americans' control."

Brian Bienkowski reports for Environmental Health News January 23, 2018.