“Tension Mounts Over Back Forty Mine As It Nears Final Approval”, 4 October 2017

Toronto-based Aquila Resources plans to mine gold, zinc and other metals in Michigan upstream from the Menominee River. So far, the mining company has been able to secure three of four permits... As the project nears final approval, tension is mounting among residents... For [Dale] Burie, [President of the Coalition to Save the Menominee River], the “Back Forty” mine poses too great a threat to the region’s economy, environment and public health… Several customers at the Ogden Club [whose co-owner, Robin Quigley, is a former employee of Aquila Resource and owns the company’s shares] said they would support the mine if it can be built without harming the environment and public health. They say the project would create hundreds of mining jobs, millions in tax revenue and help stem the region’s population loss… 

Mine opponents are hoping to invoke the federal government’s treaty responsibilities as one way to prompt further review of a wetlands permit for the Back Forty project...A spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers declined to comment…and directed all questions to the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency]. A spokesman for that agency provided a prepared statement…saying that permitting of wetlands under the Clean Water Act has been assumed by Michigan with no direct authority from the EPA..