Documentary about a once booming mining town in Wisconsin with plans to make a comeback with plans for additional mining. However, environmentalists oppose the plan and due to the irreversible damage it could cause.
Producer: Tom Bier;
Written and Reported by: Joe Champ;
Photographer/Editor: Brian Gevik;
Director: Steve Murray;
Electronic Graphics: Kathi Risley;
Engineer: Lew Harrison;
Graphics: Bill Lensch, Kathi Risley & Steve Murray;
Technical Assistance: Bill Bailey, Dawn Leu, Diane Marx & Randall Stanford;
[AI-Generated Summary] Explores the intense societal and environmental debate surrounding the proposed Flambeau copper mine near Ladysmith, Wisconsin, led by the Kennecott Corporation. The project is framed by a historical "boom and bust" cycle, where the region's 19th-century iron ore wealth gave way to economic depression and "ghost towns," leading modern supporters to view the new mine as a vital source of local jobs and tax revenue. Conversely, a diverse coalition of environmentalists, the Chippewa tribe, and local activists strongly oppose the project, fearing that its proximity to the Flambeau River will lead to heavy metal pollution, the destruction of wildlife habitats, and the violation of indigenous treaty rights. While the company and state geologists argue that state-of-the-art reclamation plans and strict regulatory oversight will ensure environmental safety, the conflict has escalated into legal battles, public protests, and even threats of civil disobedience, leaving the region's future in the hands of a state hearing examiner.
Note: This AI-generated summary (via Gemini AI and Adobe Premiere Pro) is for discovery purposes only. Please consult the original recording for historical accuracy.