Tribes and conservation groups petition to stop Pickett Mountain mining project
Two Maine Tribes and environmental law groups filed a petition to stop a proposed mine that would be located in the shadow of Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
The proposed zinc mine at Pickett Mountain is being pursued by Wolfden Resources, a Canadian company. It is the firm's second attempt to get rezoning approval for a 374-acre parcel of the 7,135-acre mine project, seeking approval from the Maine Land Use Planning Commission.
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Penobscot Nation and the Natural Resources Council of Maine, represented by Earthjustice and Brann & Isaacson, joined the Conservation Law Foundation in petitioning to intervene in the review of Wolfden’s permit application to the Land Use Planning Commission to rezone the area for industrial uses.
The proposed area is next to three state heritage fish waters and is at the center of the region's growing outdoor economy. The area contains the headwaters of the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River, which is sacred to the Penobscot Nation and provides a key, federally designated critical habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon.
“The Penobscot Nation strongly opposes the rezoning of this ecologically important area. We share significant concerns over impacts to the water quality and fisheries of the area, which our members rely upon,” said Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation. “The West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River contains abundant, high-quality, cold-water fish habitat and Designated Critical Habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon, identified as necessary for the recovery of Atlantic salmon in the Penobscot River. This mine would impact our traditional territories and forever alter our ability to maintain our relationship to this place.”
Wolfden’s first application was in 2020, when it sought to mine copper, zinc, silver, lead and gold. The application was withdrawn in 2021 when officials said they didn't have enough information to make a decision.
“Rezoning this area to allow mining would fail to recognize the cultural and spiritual importance of the land to the Wabanaki Tribes and threaten the natural resources and experiences valued by generations of Maine citizens,” said Sean Mahoney, vice president and senior counsel at the Conservation Law Foundation.
More than 700 hundred Mainers and local businesses have spoken out against Wolfden’s plans.
“This is one of the absolute worst areas to rezone for a mine,” said Aaron Bloom, a senior attorney with Earthjustice. “The region is known for its vast contiguous forest, pristine streams, high-quality lakes, and aquatic species like wild brook trout and landlocked salmon. Why would we risk that, along with the outdoor economy that depends on it, on a half-baked proposal from an unproven mining company? The Commission must put Maine’s unique natural resources, and the well-being of the people of Maine and Maine’s Wabanaki Tribes, before short-term industry profits.”
If approved for rezoning, Wolfden’s application will go to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for review.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments