Photo courtesy of www.panomorio.com.

The Lake Superior Binational Forum Invites You to an
Open Public Meeting

 Friday, March 23, 2012
12:30 to 5 p.m.

AmericInn Conference Center
3009 State Highway 2 East
Ashland, Wisconsin

What is the purpose of this public meeting?

The Lake Superior Binational Forum developed its vision statement 20 years ago by members from diverse perspectives around the lake who shared one common core value: “Water is life, and the quality of water determines the quality of life.”

This public meeting has been organized in the spirit of that original vision—it will offer speakers addressing the economic, environmental, and social impacts that open pit iron ore strip mines may have on basin communities.

Speakers will talk about:

• How iron ore mining operations may affect regional economies
• How iron ore mining may affect the natural environment
• How the binationally approved lakewide management plan addresses sources of water, land, and air pollution and what are the cumulative impacts of proposed mining operations around the entire lake
• How are sovereign nations responding to proposed mine operations in both countries.

The Forum has also scheduled an open public comment period starting at 4:00 p.m. to allow people to give comments and ask questions about open pit strip mines for iron ore.

A full agenda for this public meeting will be posted in February.

Why is this meeting being held in Ashland, Wisconsin?

The Binational Forum is interested in hearing from diverse stakeholders living in northern Wisconsin and Michigan communities as communities face possible economic and environmental changes due to proposed mining operations.

The Binational Forum holds four meetings a year in host communities around the basin in the U.S. and Canada to hear public comments about issues related to Lake Superior. These meetings allow the Forum to learn what issues people are concerned about. The Forum also brings in speakers to inform communities about the Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan and successful regional practices taking place that help meet management plan goals.

Who should attend?

This public input session is intended for:

• Residents of the western Lake Superior region interested in hearing fact-based information about mining operations and potential impacts on communities
• Local elected officials and community leaders
• Business owners and operators
• Natural resource managers for agencies and tribes
• Educators and representatives from regional organizations of all kinds…anyone with a vision for how to protect and restore the natural environment of the Lake Superior basin.

Registration

This event is free and open to the public without a need to pre-register.

Questions and Comments:  Lissa Radke, U.S. Coordinator, Lake Superior Binational Forum, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College, 1411 Ellis Ave., Ashland  WI  54806, (715) 682-1489