The Katahdin region is under threat from a dangerous mining proposal and we need you to act!
Wolfden Resources, a virtually unknown Canadian company, has proposed building a zinc mine at Pickett Mountain, just miles from Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. This region is sacred to the Wabanaki people and contains critical habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon.
If we're going to protect the clean water and unparalleled beauty of this region that is the backbone of the state’s vibrant outdoor economy, we need to demonstrate overwhelming opposition to Maine's Land Use Planning Commission. Here's how you can get involved:
🗣️ Attend and testify at the public hearing before the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) on October 23rd in Bangor at the Cross Insurance Arena. The rally begins at 5:15pm, followed by the hearing at 6:30pm.
đź“ť Submit a comment to the LUPC opposing the mining proposal.
📢 Share these actions with your network! Help us spread the word with others.
Please note, we are coordinating with other groups, including NRCM, and are sharing some of their resources to be as efficient as possible in the fight against Wolfden.
Additional information:
Wolfden has never operated a mine before, and many of its claims are not credible. Mining metals in deposits with high levels of sulfides, which are common in Maine, is especially dangerous. Mining companies search for metals like copper and zinc in deposits where iron sulfide is present in large quantities. Iron sulfide creates acid when exposed to air and water. This acid kills fish and other aquatic creatures. It also leaches out toxic heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic, that may also be in the mined rock. These metals also harm fish, animals, and people.
The region is just miles away from two of Maine’s most popular public lands, the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument and Baxter State Park. These iconic landmarks provide the foundation for economic activity in local communities and hold important historical and cultural significance to the Wabanaki Tribes and Maine people. It contains the headwaters of the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River, which is sacred to the Penobscot Nation and provides key, federally- designated critical habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon.
Comments by Wolfden’s CEO have demonstrated contempt for the region and those who value it by disrespecting Maine Tribes and mining laws have prompted outrage from the Penobscot Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and conservationists. Please show up on October 23rd in Bangor to take a stand!
Sample Comment to LUPC
Comment submission guidelines:
- Submit comments to wolfdenrezoning.lupc@maine.gov
- Note: The state’s email system has a spam filter set up that trapped a bunch of our comments. To get around that, you could have varied subject lines/email bodies so it’s not too many of the same going in, but I think it gets triggered after just 20-25 emails or so. We worked with Tim Carr at the LUPC – tim.carr@maine.gov to release our trapped emails and override the spam filter moving forward. Earthjustice should check in with Tim Carr about this first before sending an alert so that this doesn’t happen again.
Sample Comment:
Please reject Wolfden Resource Corporations’ rezoning proposal for its Pickett Mountain property.
Wolfden has failed to demonstrate the financial and technical capability to develop a mine safely, and many of its claims are not credible. The company continues to falsely assert that it would be able to discharge wastewater that would be as clean as natural groundwater. However, Wolfden has never operated a mine, and they have not provided an example of any mining company that can do this.
Metal mining is a dirty and dangerous industry, where small errors can lead to big disasters. This company cannot be trusted to operate a mine safely and in a way that protects the region’s water quality, fisheries, and outdoor economy.
The watershed the company is proposing to mine includes three State Heritage Fishing Waters and the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River, which is culturally significant to the Wabanaki people and critical habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon. A mine would threaten many of the activities that sustain the regional economy, such as guiding, fishing, hunting, and hiking.
Mainers have already demonstrated that they do not support Wolfden’s plans for an industrial-scale metal mine. Hundreds of Mainers and local businesses have joined with the Penobscot Indian Nation and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to oppose rezoning Pickett Mountain, and the residents of Pembroke voted overwhelmingly to ban this type of mining in their town in response to Wolfden’s plans to develop a mine there.
Please deny Wolfden’s rezoning petition. This mining proposal is too big a risk for the communities, businesses, and people that rely on Maine’s North Woods.