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Click on word or picture links for more information. If we truly care about our quality of life, our economy, the environment of all the earth, and our National security we should be willing to study the issues from all sides and to work together very hard to preserve, protect, defend, and enhance it here in our own homes and community. |
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| RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF CYANIDE
IN MICHIGAN MINES
WHEREAS, mining companies are increasingly using cyanide to extract gold, silver, copper zinc, and other metals from metallic ore; and, |
First let me say, I have the greatest respect for you as
individuals and your desires to do the best for the citizens of this county.
At first I was very much with you on this issue but as I have reflected
upon more information, I would like you to consider the following:
Is it right or legal to single out only mining in the prohibition of cyanide? If mines are prohibited from using Cyanide in metal extraction, how are we supposed to retrieve it? |
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| WHEREAS, cyanide poses serious environmental risks— from transportation on our roadways, from storage and use at mine site(s), and from residuals disposed in waste dumps; and, | There is no doubt the potential for serious environmental damage exists
as
it does with so many if the things we do and use everyday. But do we ban
the use of water because people can drown, or do we teach water safety
and take measures to reduce the risks so we may enjoy life in greater abundance.
From what I have read cyanide is not used in the mining process but only used at mineral processing facilities. I understand Cyanide is easily neutralized in wastewater treatment plants. |
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| WHEREAS, cyanide is highly toxic, with tiny traces fatal to human beings, fish and wildlife, and acts as a powerful solvent that can release other toxins; and, | This may be so but why ban just mining? Consider that Cyanide is mostly used in other industrial applications such as electroplating and the production of plastics, adhesives, fire retardants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and as an anti caking additive for table and road salts. | ||||||
| WHEREAS, cyanide has been the cause of recent environmental disasters at U. S. mines (in Colorado, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, California, South Dakota, and South Carolina), and at many foreign mines (such as in Romania, Guyana, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, and Papua New Guinea), resulting in massive fish kills and contaminated drinking water; and, | So what happened and how can we prevent such problems? How can we learn from these experiences? Is there anyone who knows how to do it right the first time? | ||||||
| WHEREAS, in 1998, Montana voters banned cyanide for mining, and a similar ban initiative is underway in Colorado and in 2001 Wisconsin banned cyanide for mining; and, | What processes are they now using to extract the minerals we use every day? | ||||||
| WHEREAS, Michigan must have the strongest mining laws in the nation in order to protect our abundance of clean water, | Shall we have laws so complex, regulatory, and bureaucratic as to drive all business from our state? Shall we make them so time consuming that even our own State officials have trouble administering them, or should they be adequate to do the job? How about lite and swift, lean and mean? | ||||||
| NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the (Town, Village, County, etc.) of Menominee supports a prohibition on the use of cyanide reagents in Michigan mines and metallic ore processing facilities. | Can this position of singling out mining be defended in court, or are we at risk of expensive legal battles? | ||||||
| BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Michigan State Legislature is urged to pass legislation to prohibit the use of cyanide in Michigan mines and metallic ore processing facilities. | Have you heard back from the State about their thoughts? | ||||||
| BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the State Representative and State Senator representing (County, Town, Village, etc.), the DNR Secretary, the Governor and the Michigan (Counties, Towns) Associations. | What did these folks have to say? | ||||||
| ROLL CALL
ADOPTED 4/21/03 ; Coms. Furmanski, Lang, Lynch, Parrette, Stein voted aye. LOST VOTE TALLY 5-0 INTRODUCED BY: Commissioner Lynch STATE OF MICHIGAN SS Menominee County (County, Town, Village, etc.) |
There is more than one issue here, and we need to consider as many
sides as we can. We sometimes need to compromise some of our position's
for the greater good of the community.
There are risks in making progress. I encourage you to consider a reversal of this resolution. Not like the hunter who charges off after the big buck he saw across the field but slowly and carefully, learning all you can and studying it out. Calculating the best way for all to enjoy more of the good things of life. |
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| I, Barb Morrison
Clerk of (Town, Village, County, etc.) Menominee County
Michigan do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the resolution passed by the (County, Town, Village, County, etc.) Board of |
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