Acid mining is a serious threat to water quality in an area that not only provides clean water to Cobscook Bay but is also a potential source of water to Sipayik, Passamaquoddy Reservation located in what is known now as Pleasant Point. After 40 years of moratorium, Maine is now operating under a new mining law, said to be one of the ‘cleanest in the nation’, passed under Governor LePage in 2017. This rule has created high regulatory standards for “advanced exploration” and “mining permits,” as evidenced by the failure of Wolfden Resources to get a zoning change for their proposed mine in.

However, under current mining law and DEP rules companies such as Wolfden can easily begin the ‘exploration’ phase of digging. Indeed, this is most concerning to local people as there is exploration currently underway at  the Big Hill in Pembroke, ME just 2 miles from Cobscook Bay and adjacent Passamaquoddy Bay. Local citizens and the Passamaquoddy Tribal Council have become very concerned about these activities.  

The prospect of large-scale polymetallic sulfide mining poses a major threat of groundwater contamination. Learn about the citizen efforts and how you can join the movement to stop mining in Maine.