WISCONSIN CENTRAL DERAILS IN CITY OF ASHLAND

At 2 p.m. yesterday a Wisconsin Central train carrying two box engines and two box cars of wood derailed in the city of Ashland. Media was on the scene last night as were some of the people protesting Wisconsin Central's transport of sulfuric acid across the Bad River Chippewa Reservation. A repair crew was trying to get the remaining engine back on the track; the other engine and two cars of wood remained on the track and was moved from the scene. The derailment was caused when one rail snapped in two about 18 inches from where the rails are attached to each other. One Wisconsin Central official was quoted as saying: "I don't know why people are so concerned with this minor incident. It happens all the time."

STATE LEAVES TRACKS - FEDERAL MEDIATOR BEING SENT

It is reported that Governor Thompson has requested that a federal mediator now take over the situation at Bad River. None of the Ashland County police have been seen at the site since a tense confrontation Monday night. The camp remains peaceful with more people arriving.

PEACEFUL PROTEST AND CEREMONIES CONTINUE

Contrary to reports of an "armed standoff," the gathering, which is now entering its ninth day, remains a peaceful, spiritual protest of the transport of hazardous materials across unsafe tracks to an illegal mine. All people of good will are invited to join at the tracks to do protest in their community in solidarity with the Bad River track blockade.

IT CAN ALL END WITH ONE STATEMENT BY EPA

Everyone currently involved in this situation are just doing their jobs: the rail folks have a contract with White Pine mine to deliver acid; the Ashland County police have a job to uphold the law; the Anishinabe Ogitchida have a duty to protect the community. The only people who are not doing their job is EPA - they have not held one federal hearing on this project.

WE URGE ALL PEOPLE TO CALL EPA BOSS CAROL BROWNER AND DEMAND THAT AN EIS BE DONE FOR THE WHITE PINE MINE.

If that happens everyone wins. If the mine is as safe as they say then an EIS would prove it. If EPA calls for an EIS then the rail company can get out of their liability for the acid transport, giving them time to repair the tracks. And, without the acid moving and scrutiny of the mine, the people on the tracks can go home.

I am concerned about the White Pine Mine being approved by EPA Region V in Chicago apparently without adequate investigation being conducted for Traditional Cultural Properties as mandated under Public Law 102-575, The National Historic Preservation Act.

The secondary effects of this project include the shipment of 11 BILLION gallons of sulfuric acid across the state of Wisconsin. This could place countless Traditional Cultural Properties in jeopardy.

Under

PUBLIC LAW 102-575-Oct. 30, 1992 106 STAT. 4753

Title XL-NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT AMENDMENTS

SEC.4019. DEFINITIONS

(a) AMENDMENT AND ADDITION OF DEFINITIONS.-Section 301 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w) is amended as follows:

(7) [Federal] "Undertaking" means a project, activity, or program funded in whole or in part under the direct or indirect jurisdiction of a Federal agency, including:

• "(A) those carried out by or on behalf of the agency;
• "(B) those carried out with Federal financial assistance;
• "(C) those requiring a Federal permit license, or approval; and
• "(D) those subject to State or local regulation administered pursuant to a delegation or approval by a Federal agency."

An Urgent Call continues for witnesses with cameras to come to the site. For directions to the site call: 715-274-6354.

Return to: The People's Paths

The People's Paths home page!