Aquila: Federal Court Rejects Menominee Tribe’s Challenge to Back Forty Wetlands Permit

Aquila Resources (TSX:AQA) has reported that on December 19, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin dismissed the federal lawsuit brought by the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin challenging the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ failure to exercise jurisdiction over Aquila’s wetlands permit for its Back Forty Project in Michigan.

According to Aquila, the project contains approximately 1.1 billion pounds of zinc and 1 million ounces of gold in the measured and indicated mineral resource categories, with additional upside potential. Aquila has received all State and Federal permissions required for the construction and commencement of operations at the Back Forty project.

As quoted in the press release:

The Michigan Department of Environment Quality previously issued Aquila the Wetlands Permit on June 4, 2018, but the Tribe claimed that the federal government is responsible for issuing the Wetlands Permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Court held that the Tribe could not challenge the federal government’s refusal to exercise jurisdiction over the Wetlands Permit under the Administrative Procedures Act or the Clean Water Act.

Aquila will continue its efforts with the State of Michigan and local communities to demonstrate our commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable resource development that benefits all stakeholders. The Back Forty Mine will be a safe, disciplined operation that promotes and supports local community socio-economic development and is protective of the environment.

Click here to read the full Aquila Resources (TSX:AQA) press release.