Iron County Board Meeting Tuesday July 30, 6 PM Public Testimony Welcomed

Flags of LCO Harvest and Education Camp. Photo: Rebecca Kemble

Please join us for a peaceful, silent protest at the next Iron County Board meeting Tuesday, July 30 at 6 PM at the Iron County Courthouse at 300 Taconite St, Hurley.

We will be gathering at the Hurley Visitor Center at 4:30. Join us or call 218.341.8822 for more information.

Why will we stand in silence?

On July 16, 2013 the Iron County Forestry Committee voted to press criminal and civil charges against Lac Courte Oreilles Treaty Harvest and Education Camp for allegedly operating without a permit.

Without any discussion or input from Harvest Camp, the Forestry Committee went into closed session to determine what actions should be taken, despite the fact that Camp Manager Paul DeMain was present at the meeting.

The same committee had previously given a unanimous green light to Lac Courte Oreilles to set up the camp on County Forest Land. There is confusion as to why the permit has not been issued. The new attorney for the county advised the committee to press criminals charges or the DNR has threatened to revoke their certification for managing County Forest Law — including partial funding of forestry positions — if they allow the Harvest Camp to remain in place.

As outlined by the Forestry Committee, this move will likely push Iron County into probable litigation, costing Iron County residents possibly millions in lawsuits over the next .. undetermined number of years.

We will stand in silence to protest this unjust, unnecessary, wasteful and unreasonable solution to a minor conflict.

We request Iron County Forestry sit down with LCO Harvest Camp and work together towards a solution that will be in everyone’s best interest.

Please come to the courthouse and stand in silent protest of this unjust and unnecessary action. You are also encouraged to testify before the committee and share your thoughts.