EDITOR:

Aquila Resources has transferred their interests in the Back Forty project west of Stephenson to Gold Resource Corporation of Denver, Colo. Those of you who had purchased Aquila stock have already received your transfer letter informing investors of significantly reduced share numbers and value.

Dr. Al Gedicks, my wife, Lea Jane, and I met in person with Allen Palmiere, CEO, and Kim Perry, CFO, of Gold Resource Corporation, in Menominee on April 7.

They informed us of their intentions to proceed with plans to revive the Back Forty project. We told them our position has not changed, and we will continue to challenge every permit application, in court, if necessary.

They were not aware of the eight counties, including Menominee County, that have passed resolutions opposing the Back Forty project.

Allen stated that the Back Forty had all four permits, and Dr. Gedicks corrected him, since the only permit Aquila fully possessed was the NPDES permit for the discharge of 1.52 million gallons of water back into the Menominee River per day. Other permits were not fully granted because they were challenged in legally contested cases. They also did not have the Dam Safety Permit that, according to EGLE of Michigan, is definitely necessary before a shovel ever hits the ground.

After a very thorough two-hour discussion, I asked Allen and Kim to participate in a public forum. Allen agreed to participate after the feasibility study and the mine design are completed, along with final permission from the Security Exchange Commission.

The format of the public forum will be a large venue, with a custom sound system so that everyone can hear the dialog. The panel will consist of Gold Resource representatives, our panel of scientific experts, and other notable guests. All news media will be invited, including TV, radio, newspapers, social media and prominent documentarians for historical preservation. The public will be invited, and the second half of the forum will be established for questions from the public.

Because the threat of sulfide mining affects everyone in this watershed and we all are consumers of clean water, people must have the opportunity to have their questions answered truthfully.

The coalition continues to stand vigilant to protect the Menominee River.

Dale Burie

McAllister, Wis.

Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc.