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Midwest Mining Initiative / TESNAR 2011
USGS Midwest Mining Initiative / TESNAR workshop - Understanding the Impacts of Mining in the Western Lake Superior region (Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan), September 12-14, 2011, Bad River Lodge, Casino, and Convention Center
William Cannon, USGS, describes the geologic history of the Palms Formation and Ironwood Iron-formation |
The U.S. Geological Survey, the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission held a three-day workshop providing technical information on the current state and potential impacts of mining in the Western Lake Superior region. Recently proposed mining activities in the region have become a major concern to many tribes and local communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. More than 150 people attended the workshop, from over 50 tribal, federal, state, and local government agencies; universities, nonprofit organizations, private consulting firms, and mining companies. Twenty-four presenters from federal, state, and tribal government agencies and private organizations and foundations provided valuable information to individuals addressing environmental assessments related to mining and its impact on different types of ecosystems. Workshop session topics were Western Lake Superior Region mining and risk; Mineral deposits, associated geology, and mineral economics; Mining and the environment; Mine permitting; and Geochemistry, Water, and Sediments. The workshop was oriented towards individuals who require knowledge needed to evaluate the potential effects of mining activities on valuable resources that are significant parts of the cultural heritage of the tribes. The audio of some of the workshop presentations were recorded by WOJB Woodland Community Supported Radio.
During the afternoon of the third day, a field trip was done covering the geology, geomorphology, and environmental monitoring in the Bad River watershed. The objective of the field trip was to present the geology of the area and provided a "hands-on" experience with baseline characterization of potential mining environments and associated monitoring designs and equipment. The field trip consisted of three stops. The first was at Copper Falls State Park where Tom Fitz (Northland College), Bill Cannon (USGS), and Laurel Woodruff (USGS) described the geology and Bad River geomorphology in the park. The second stop visited outcrops of the Palms Formation and Ironwood Iron-Formation along Ballou Creek, where Bill Cannon (USGS) and Klaus Schulz (USGS) described the geology of the formations. The third and final stop was at a streamgage on Tyler Forks where Krista Stensvold (USGS), Andrew Lindlof (USGS), Matt Hudson (Bad River Watershed Association), John Coleman (Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission), and Laurel Woodruff (USGS) presented information on the monitoring of streamflow, bed-sediment chemistry, and water quality on Tyler Forks.
Agenda
Abstracts
Field Trip Itinerary
Field Trip Guide
Field Trip Map
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