Candidate Young Applauds Wolf River Headwaters Protection Purchase

Candidate Young Applauds Wolf River Headwaters Protection Purchase

JIM YOUNG, Green Candidate for Governor

June 20, 2002

Contact: Young for Governor Campaign (608) 837-6987

Green Party candidate for Governor Jim Young supports the proposal to acquire the proposed Crandon Mine property and mineral rights, and pledges, as Governor, to secure financial resources to make it a reality.

The Wolf River Headwaters Protection Purchase would allow for public acquisition of all the property owned by Nicolet Minerals Company for the proposed Crandon Mine.

"This is the most significant movement in environmental justice that I have seen in my 16 years of working on Treaty Rights," said Young. "We are on the verge of a great victory for the people of Wisconsin that bodes well for people around the world."

"At the Indigenous Mining Summit this past weekend in Mole Lake, we discussed our vision for this site without a mine," said Young.

An alliance of environmental and conservation groups and local and tribal governments released a detailed proposal designed to permanently end the controversy over permitting the Crandon mine.

The proposal, called the Wolf River Headwaters Protection Purchase, states "At this unique moment in Wisconsin's history we make a uniquely Wisconsin proposal -- public acquisition of all of the property (nearly 5,000 acres of land and mineral rights) owned by Nicolet Minerals Company (NMC) in the vicinity of the proposed mine site as a conservation area devoted to sustainable land management practices, tribal cultural values and tourism suitable to this environmentally sensitive area."

The buyout plan has Young's complete support. "As Governor, I will ensure Wisconsin finds the financial resources to purchase this property in cooperation with Indigenous Nations," said Young, whose platform calls for the co-management of environmental resources by the state and tribal nations.

"I continue to oppose all new metallic mining projects and to support a ban on the use of cyanide in mining projects."

Recently, BHP Billiton communicated to the alliance a willingness to consider a public purchase of the site. The alliance has responded with the proposal sent to Governor McCallum and legislative leaders today.

Young recognized the work and dedication of those who are working to "I applaud the tireless efforts of the town of Nashville, the Menomonee Nation, Sakaogon and other Chippewa Nations, Forest County Potowatomi, the Midwest Treaty Network, the Green Party and the many environmental organizations and individuals to bring this idea to fruition."

Information on the Wolf River Headwaters Protection Purchase is available here

For additional information on Jim Young visit: http://www.young4governor.org.

(Statements by gubernatorial candidates McCallum, Falk and Barrett are here