Re: Traprock mine in Michipicoten Bay

[Kathie Brosemer <kathie@cleannorth.org>]

Hi Mary Jo,

It's great to hear you're making progress with this issue.  Rick Lindgren
is excellent and will be very thorough with your submission.

Unfortunately, I cannot commit Clean North as a supporter on this until
we've had a chance to discuss it at a membership meeting.  We put our name
on the GLAHF application on very short notice, but we cannot continue to
respond to requests this quickly.  Our process is very flat, not
hierarchical, and we need to include many voices in decision-making.  I
can't decide for the group.

David sent around an email describing this request and several people have
read through it.  So the discussion at our monthly meeting, on December
4th, will be an informed one.  I'll let you know at that time whether we
can sign on to this request.

Thanks for all your good work, and the best of luck with this.

Kathie

> Kathie,  Welcome home!  hope you've had a marvellous trip to Thailand.
> Know you must be returning exhausted thougn, and hate to drop this in
> your lap first day back. But here's the situation.
>
> Richard Lindgren from Canadian Environmental Law Association, who is
> providing us with 'summary' advice, has guided us through the
> preparation of a letter and brief to the Minister of the Environment
> requesting a bump-up to a full environmental assessment.  (We will also
> be requesting a Canadian Environmental Assessment from the federal
> government.)  We are sending the draft format to various environmental
> organizations seeking their endorsement of this bump-up. We would like
> to be able, simply (for the moment), to add their names to our letter as
> endorsers.
>
> I have been discussing this with David Trowbridge, seeking endorsement
> from Clean North, and I think David will be in touch with you about it.
> But, of course, your agreement is necessary, and I have asked a
> colleague to e-mail you a copy of this letter and brief (12 pages,
> unfortunately). We are hoping that you would be able to have a look at
> it, and with David's input, let us know if Clean North could also
> endorse us.  At present it has been approved by Great Lakes United and
> Mining Watch Canada.  Linda Pim from FON has recommended approval to her
> supervisor and National Wildlife Federation in the U.S. is writing a
> letter. And we feel positive about support from Wildlands League,
> Environment North, Northwatch and Lake Superior Alliance.
>
> We are hoping to have the draft copy polished and ready to send
> Wednesday morning, as we are trying to get this in as quickly as
> possible. If you are able to let us know by Tuesday evening, one way or
> the other, whether Clean North could endorse the letter and brief, that
> would be wonderful.  An e-mail to me at this address would do it.  Or by
> phone at 705 856 8172.
>
> Many thanks Kathie.
>
> Mary Jo